§ 36. Mr. MacGregorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made by the departmental inquiry into earnings-related benefits for the self-employed.
§ Mr. O'MalleyAs my right hon. Friend announced in her reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George) on 23rd October—[Vol. 898, c.236–8.]—work on this inquiry is proceeding, but it is a major undertaking to overcome the practical difficulties involved in providing the self-employed 96W with earnings-related pensions in return for corresponding contributions. My right hon. Friend will present her conclusions to the House when all the possibilities have been examined.