HC Deb 20 March 1997 vol 292 cc821-2W
Mr. Robert McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the actual and accumulated deficits and surpluses over the last five years of the five largest public sector pension schemes in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [21008]

Sir John Wheeler

Of the five largest public sector pension schemes in Northern Ireland, the teachers superannuation scheme, the principal civil service pension scheme (NI), the health and personal social services scheme (NI) and the RUC pension scheme are notionally funded/non-funded and therefore, the question of deficits and surpluses does not arise.

For the Northern Ireland local government officers superannuation scheme the net money available for investment, that is, actual surplus for each of the last five years, is listed.

Year Net money availablefor investment£ (million)
1991–92 48,758
1992–93 45,921
1993–94 34,066
1994–95 39,616
1995–96 45,993

It is not possible to provide a meaningful figure for accumulated surpluses over the past five years. However, the actuarial valuation of the fund at 31 March 1992 was £214 million and at 31 March 1995 was £304 million.