§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he intends to make a formal response to the social security advisory committee 1981 annual report.
§ Mr. Newton:The 1981 annual report of the social security advisory committee covered a very wide field. Some of the committee's recommendations have already been implemented, but economic and financial constraints mean that it has not been possible to respond similarly to others. These issues still remain under consideration. A formal response to the committee's first report as such does not seem appropriate. My right hon. Friend will consider the position afresh in relation to future annual reports produced by the committee. In the meantime Ministers and officials continue to be in close touch with the committee, whose work we value highly.
434Wdetermination of liability until a year or two after that in which the contributions have been paid, which would create uncertainty for both the contributor and the Department. I also regard it as undesirable to refund contributions which someone has paid rightly and which in the great majority of cases bring a return in future pension rights far in excess of what could be bought for the same amount on the open insurance market.