201
Written Answers
15 MARCH 1978
CIVIL SERVICE
Pensions
Mr. Arthur Lewis asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will give for the latest and most convenient stated date the total number of civil servants on the pension fund; to what extent these persons have to wait until they are 62 years of age before being entitled to pension; and how many of these have to forgo the first five years of their ser vice for pension entitlement purposes.
Mr. Charles R. Morris: On 1st Jan- uary 1978, approximately 738,000 civil servants were covered by the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme. Those entering the scheme are not entitled to pensions before they complete five years' qualifying service, unless they have trans- ferred accrued rights from some other pension scheme. Reckonable service is limited to 40 years at age 60, so that service given before age 20 does not count for pension entitlement when a person retires after a full career. Full-time unestablished service before 14th July 1949 reckons only at half its actual length.
Sick Leave
Mr. Russell Kerr asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the average amount of (a) uncertificated and (b) certi- ficated sick leave taken by non-industrial civil servants each year.
Mr. Charles R. Morris: I regret that this information is not available centrally, and to collect the necessary facts would involve disproportionate cost.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH
AFFAIRS
Rhodesia
Mr. Anderson asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to receive the report of the commission of inquiry into sanctions breaking in Rhodesia and whether it is his intention to publish the
report.
Dr. Owen: Mr. Thomas Bingham, QC. has made considerable progress with his investigation into the supply of petroleum and petroleum products to
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Written Answers
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Rhodesia. I discussed the timing of his report with him today, and he is aware that I regard his task as urgent, but I cannot yet forecast when he will be ready to submit his report. So far as publica- tion is concerned, the Southern Rhodesia (United Nations Sanctions) (No. 2) Order 1963. under which the inquiry was estab- lished, placed certain restrictions on the disclosure of material produced for the purpose of the inquiry. I shall not be able to reach a decision on this until the report has been submitted and con- sidered.
Hong Kong (Vietnamese Refugees)
Sir Anthony Royle asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he commenced dis- cussions with all concerned regarding the possibility of accepting into the United Kingdom a number of Vietnamese refu- gees at present in Hong Kong.
Mr. Tomlinson: Discussions started on 20th January 1978.
AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
Animals (Export)
Mr. Arnold asked the Minister of Agri- culture, Fisheries and Food when he ex- pects the review on the export of live animals to be published.;
Mr. Strang: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Leeds, North-West (Sir D. Kaberry).
PRICES AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
Food Prices
Mr. Arthur Lewis asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Pro- tection to what extent price increases recorded in the week ended 11th March 1978 in the Grocer of 138 foods includ- ing blancmange, cereals, jellies, preserves, pies, sauces and sausages, bringing the total of such increases since 1st January 1978 to 2,871, have increased or will increase the cost of living.
Mr. Macieunan : I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave to my hon.
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DATE ...5/3/28
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дворе
حتاج
H.K,
20. Mard..78
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