HC Deb 10 April 1974 vol 872 cc577-8

Question proposed, That the clause, stand part of the Bill.

Sir B. Rhys Williams

I should be grateful if the Minister of State would enlighten us as to the precise effect of this clause, which, if it means what we think it means, we welcome. It appears only to give the Secretary of State powers to set aside decisions where it appears just to do so back to 1965. Does this mean that hard cases which have been left unattended up to now because the Secretary of State had no power to deal with them and which arose before 1965 will still remain hard cases which cannot be dealt with? Or will it be possible to re-open cases, which all concerned felt were unjust, where the actual events took place before 1965?

Mr. Raison

Subsection (4) refers to certain matters which would be dealt with by the Occupational Pensions Board in its discretion. Can the Minister of State tell us off the cuff what kind of matters these might be, and perhaps more specifically how the Government see the role of the board? There has been some doubt about the attitude of the Government towards the board. Anything that the hon. Gentleman could say on this subject would be helpful.

Mr. O'Malley

I think it would be more sensible if I were to answer that general question when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State makes an interim statement on the future of the Social Security Act 1973, and then defines the long-term position more clearly in our White Paper.

The purpose of subsection (4) is to remove a doubt about the vices of four provisions in the Occupational Pensions Schemes (Preservation of Benefit) Regulations 1973. The number of the statutory instrument is SI 1469. It gives power to make similar regulations if they are required.

I will read carefully what the hon. Member for Kensington (Sir B. Rhys Williams) said and I will write to him on the subject.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 6 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 7 and 8 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

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