12. For regulation P3(1) and (1A) ( absence for reasons other than illness or injury) substitute–
“(1) If, on or after 1st April 2008, a member is on a leave of absence for reasons other than those referred to in regulation P2 the maximum period of such leave that will count as pensionable employment under this paragraph is–
(a)where the member, for a continuous period of six months commencing with the member’s first day of leave of absence, pays to the scheme contributions due from the member in accordance with regulation D1, six months; and
(b)where the member, for a continuous period of less than six months commencing with the member’s first day of leave of absence, pays to the scheme contributions due from the member in accordance with regulation D1, the period in respect of which those contributions were paid.
(1A) If, having paid contributions for the period referred to in paragraph (1)(a), a member remains on leave of absence for reasons other than those referred to in regulation P2 the maximum period of such leave that will count as pensionable employment under this paragraph is–
(a)where the member pays to the scheme both contributions due from the member in accordance with regulation D1 and contributions due from the member’s employer in accordance with regulation D2 for a continuous period of 18 months commencing immediately after the expiry of the period referred to in paragraph (1)(a), 18 months; and
(b)where the member pays to the scheme both contributions due from the member in accordance with regulation D1 and contributions due from the member’s employer in accordance with regulation D2 for a continuous period of less than 18 months commencing immediately after the expiry of the period referred to in paragraph (1)(a), the period in respect of which those contributions were paid.”.