§ Mr. DeanI can assure my hon. Friend that we are planning to publish our proposals for the preservation of occupational pension rights as soon as possible.
§ Sir B. Rhys WilliamsWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that, while Parliament delays, people changing jobs are losing their pension rights at the rate of £100,000 every working day? While we look forward to the Government's White Paper on the future conduct of occupational pension schemes, does he agree that where existing accrued rights in these schemes are concerned there is no reason for action not being taken at once?
§ Mr. DeanYes. I am glad that my hon. Friend has drawn attention to that matter. We hope that the growing number of firms providing for this already will continue to do so.
§ Mr. O'MalleyAs each year that passes without legislation means that thousands of people are being deprived of future income in retirement, why do not the Government show a little more urgency on this matter?
On the question of the protection of pension rights, do not the Government believe that the time has now arrived when there should be legislation to insist that private occupational pension 1325 schemes, many of which are bad and provide little dependency cover, should have minimum standards as defined by the Government rather than provide the bad schemes we see too often today?
§ Mr. DeanI assure the House that, unlike the Labour Government, this Government will not take five years to produce their plans.