§ 13. Mr. Jacques ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what new measures are being introduced to protect members of occupational pension schemes.
§ Mr. NewtonThe current Social Security Bill includes measures to appoint a pensions ombudsman; reduce self-investment by schemes; extend the rights of early leavers; and provide, from a date to be appointed, for annual increases in respect of pension rights derived from future service and for scheme surpluses to be used to make increases in respect of existing rights. These are further important steps forward in safeguarding the position of the members of such schemes.
§ 16. Mr. LeighTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what powers the pensions ombudsman is proposed to have to resolve any grievances held by members of occupational pension schemes.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone (Miss Widdecombe) on 2 April at column488.