§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the total cost was of pension contributions paid by the Government(a) to special advisers and (b) into the pension schemes of special advisers, during the period 1 April 1999 to 30 March 2000. [152062]
§ Marjorie Mowlam(a) None. Pension contributions are paid direct by Departments into the individual special advisers' pension schemes.
(b) Provision has been made for a maximum of £476,000 to be paid into the pension schemes of special advisers for the year 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000.
In addition, National Insurance contributions are paid at the contracted-in rates.