asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to what extent the granting of voluntary retirement on full pension to Members on the same basis as civil servants and other public servants at the age of 60 years instead of 65 years would increase Treasury expenditure; and whether he will take whatever action may prove necessary for this to be done.

I regret that no reliable estimate of this cost can be made, since the amount would depend very much on the numbers of hon. Members who chose to retire at 60 rather than later. Under section 1(2) of the Parliamentary Pensions Act 1978, hon. Members may already retire on full pension at a Dissolution, provided they have attained the age of 62 years and have been a Member for at least 25 years. The Government have no plans to propose changes in these arrangements.