§ Sir Thomas ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions have taken place between officials in his Department, representatives of the Maxwell pensioners, and the National Westminster bank, in response to the Social Security Committee's second report of Session 1991–92 on pension funds.
§ Miss WiddecombeThere have been no discussions involving all these parties. We continue to maintain a close interest in developments.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the current position of all pensioners of all the former Maxwell companies; and what steps his Department is taking to help them.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Department keeps in close contact with trustees of the Mirror Group and other Maxwell pension schemes who are attempting to resolve the ownership of assets and their return to pension funds. The Government secure pensions to the level of the guaranteed minimum pension, and no pensioner will be worse off than they would have been had they stayed in the state earnings-related pensions scheme. If any pensioner experiences financial difficulty and is unsure about his or her state benefit entitlement, he or she should get in touch with the local social security office, which has been alerted to the difficulties that these pensioners face.