asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he received the proposals from the staff side of the Civil Service National Whitley Council on the subject of the counting of unestablished service for pension purposes; what is the cause of the delay in reaching a decision; and if he will now make a statement thereon.

My right hon. Friend received the proposals on 14th January. The staff side has now been informed of the Government's decision that in present circumstances they cannot give sufficient priority to the introduction of full reckoning to justify starting negotiations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how much money is involved annually and whether reconsideration cannot be given to the matter in view of the fact that the question has been a live one for five or six years?

The total amount involved is £310 million over a long period of years. In early years the annual cost would vary with the solution adopted, but it would never be less than several million pounds a year.