§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she proposes to secure equivalence of treatment in respect of pensions on the transfer of an engagement from the public sector to an outside contractor. [43134]
§ Alan JohnsonIt has been the policy of successive Governments to ensure that the occupational pension rights of public sector staff are protected on a "broadly comparable" basis on transfer within the public sector and 89W from the public sector to the private. The Government remain committed to that policy, which is set out in the Treasury note "Staff Transfers from Central Government: A Fair Deal for Staff Pensions".
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether pensions are treated by her Department as deferred pay in connection with industrial relations and the resolution of disputes. [43133]
§ Alan JohnsonWhether employment law would enable an employee to seek legal redress in respect of a dispute involving a pension will depend upon the nature of the dispute. If the pension forms part of the employee's contract of employment there may be redress through the employment tribunals or civil courts, for example in the form of a breach of contract claim.