HC Deb 29 October 1999 vol 336 c1005W
Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if employees of DERA will remain members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme consequent upon his proposals for privatisation. [93705]

Mr. Kilfoyle

Any staff transferring out of the civil service as a result of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) transaction cease to be civil servants and, as such, are no longer eligible for membership of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS). The Government Actuary's Department is responsible for certifying that any new scheme they join offers broadly comparable benefits to those offered by the PCSPS. Staff will be treated fairly and in line with the Government's Statement of Practice for Staff Transfers in the Public Sector which sets out comprehensive guidance for the treatment of staff in PPP deals, including new guidance on the protection of staff pensions.