Ms Lily Toner:

Not specifically that. I started in 1973 when I was 20 or 21 years of age. It was explained to us that the pension scheme was built into our basic pay. I cannot remember off the top of my head what the percentage was. It was never a physical thing that could be seen on the payslip that this contribution was for the pension. Things started to change in 1981. It was put to everyone whether they would or not. I knew I was gay so there was no way that I was going to pay in or that I wanted to stay in this scheme. It was not until 1984 that it was again put to us whether we wanted to stay in the scheme and pay the contribution. For us at that time, however, there was never going to be marriage or children so what was the point? In answer to the Deputy's question, the pension was built into our basic salary without us knowing exactly what it was. It was never physically on the payslip, if the Deputy knows what I mean.