asked the Minister for the Public Service the total number of public service pensions subject to annual review as at 1 July of each year; the estimated annual cost of adjusting such pensions in accordance with the dates of the national understanding; if he is aware of the concern expressed by such retired public servants obliged to depend on an annual review date of 1 July of each year; and if he will eliminate this discriminatory practice in the next budget.
Written Answers. - Public Service Pensions.
321.
In so far as the main public service groups are concerned, the information sought in the first half of the Question is as follows—(a) the total number of pensions as at 1 July 1979 was 58,929; (b) the extra cost in 1979 of increasing such pensions by 9 per cent with effect from 1 June 1979—instead of 1 July 1979—under the first phase of the national understanding pay agreement would be £551,000; (c) the extra cost in 1980 of increasing such pensions by an estimated 7 per cent with effect from 1 March 1980—instead of 1 July 1980—under the second phase of the national understanding pay agreement would be £1,943,000.
I am, of course, aware of the desire of retired public servants to have their pensions increased with effect from the same dates as the relevant pay increases, rather than from 1 July each year. This matter will be considered in the context of next year's budget.