16(1)The Minister for the Civil Service may make a scheme containing provision about the application of the assets of the Fund in or towards the provision of pensions for or in respect of persons with service to which this paragraph applies, in respect of that service.
(2)This paragraph applies to service as—
(a)the holder of an office specified in Parts 1 to 4 of Schedule 1 to the Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975 (ministerial offices),
(b)the holder of an office specified in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to that Act (Opposition leaders and whips),
(c)Speaker of the House of Lords,
(d)Chairman of Committees of the House of Lords,
(e)Deputy Chairman of Committees of the House of Lords.
(3)A scheme under this paragraph may not provide for the application of any of the assets of the Fund in or towards the provision of pensions for or in respect of a person with service as—
(a)Lord Chancellor,
(b)Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, or
(c)Speaker of the House of Commons.
17(1)A scheme under paragraph 16 may in particular—
(a)include any or all of the provisions specified in paragraphs 24 to 32 and 34, except the provisions specified in paragraphs 26(1) and 31 unless with the consent of the trustees of the Fund,
(b)make provision which has effect from a date earlier than the date the scheme is made,
(c)make provision in relation to service before the passing of this Act (including, in relation to service within paragraph 16(2)(a) or (b), service before the passing of the Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975),
(d)make different provision in relation to different cases, circumstances or persons, and
(e)make such incidental, consequential and transitional provision (other than provision modifying an enactment or subordinate legislation) as the Minister considers appropriate.
(2)In sub-paragraph (1)(e) the reference to subordinate legislation does not include a scheme under paragraph 16.
18(1)Before making a scheme under paragraph 16 the Minister for the Civil Service must consult—
(a)the IPSA,
(b)the Government Actuary,
(c)the trustees of the Fund, and
(d)any other person the Minister considers appropriate.
(2)The Minister for the Civil Service must lay before each House of Parliament—
(a)any representations made to the Minister by the trustees of the Fund in response to consultation under this paragraph,
(b)any scheme made by the Minister under paragraph 16, and
(c)a statement of the reasons for making the scheme.
(3)When the scheme and the statement of reasons have been laid, the Minister must publish them in a way the Minister considers appropriate.