To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average payment per person to members of the fire service pension scheme was in 2008. (232833)

According to figures submitted by fire and rescue authorities, the average payment per pensioner in 2007-08 was approximately £11,200.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of active members in the firefighters’ pension scheme joined on or after 6 April 2006; and what projections she has made of how this figure will change over time. (233132)

In 2007-08, of the 34,700 active members of the firefighters’ pension schemes, 5,700 (16.4 per cent.) were members of the new firefighters’ pension scheme 2006 which came into operation on 6 April 2006. The firefighters’ pension scheme 1992 was closed to new members at that point.

It is estimated that 1,500 regular and retained firefighters will join the NFPS each year.