HC Deb 08 May 1973 vol 856 cc189-90
17. Sir B. Rhys Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received in regard to the tax treatment of beneficiaries' contributions to the proposed State Reserve Pension Scheme.

Mr. Dean

I have had a small number of representations in favour of tax relief being given on employees' contributions to the reserve pension scheme, but it has also been represented to me that the effect would be to handicap our efforts to maximise the membership of recognised occupational pension schemes.

Sir B. Rhys Williams

Has my right hon. Friend received representations from the Life Offices Association and the National Association of Pension Funds? Would I be right in believing that neither of those bodies has specifically asked for the tax bias to be brought back against members of the reserve pension scheme?

Mr. Dean

We have been in close touch with all organisations interested in these matters in the formative stages of the arrangements for the Bill which is now before the House.

Mr. George Cunningham

Will the Minister confirm that a document is passing around the House showing that the Government invited the views of the CBI on the subject following their defeat in Standing Committee on it? Did they at the same time invite the views of the TUC?

Mr. Dean

I have a number of responsibilities, but I do not think that one of them is documents circulating in the House.

Mr. O'Malley

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if he has received only a small number of representations on the subject, which is perhaps untypical of the experience of other hon. Members, that could mean only either that members of the public are in despair of earning any kind of social justice between one side of the community and the other from the present Government or that they believe it inconceivable that the Government should attempt to overturn a decision taken by a large majority of backbenchers?

Mr. Dean

It could be because the country generally realises that the Bill represents a major advance in pension provision, both present and future, for the people of this country.