§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he intends to take in respect of Astra pensioners. [18537]
§ Dr. HowellsRenewed investigations into the problems faced by former members of the Department over their pensions entitlements from the former Astra Training Services Ltd. following that organisation's collapse in 1993 have been going on in the Department for some time. The vast majority of Departmental staff who transferred to Astra had their previously accrued Civil Service pensions values and benefits preserved in the Principal Civil Service Pensions Scheme. Pensions values due for their time with Astra are primarily for the liquidators of the former Company to resolve. We will be pressing the liquidators and the pension fund trustees to resolve this long-outstanding issue.
§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the entitlement to interviews of ex-Astra staff. [18538]
§ Dr. HowellsRenewed investigations into the problems faced by former members of the Department who transferred to Astra Training Services Ltd. but were made redundant by the collapse of that organisation in 1993 have been going on in the Department for some time. Work continues to find ways of assisting former staff, and those currently seeking employment will be guaranteed interviews for any suitable vacancies which may arise in the Department.