asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the basis upon which pensions are paid to members of the Civil Service; and whether such pensions are subject to any sliding scale in respect of the cost of living?

Apart from a few cases to which earlier arrangements apply, a civil servant's pension is calculated upon his average salary and pensionable emoluments for the last three years of his service at the rate of one-eightieth for each complete year of reckonable service, subject to a maximum of forty eightieths. It does not vary with the cost of living. A lump sum "additional allowance" equal to three times the annual amount of the pension, subject to a maximum of one and a half year's pensionable pay, is also paid on retirement.