§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to increase the level of funds available to the Maxwell pensions unit;
(2) how many applications for assistance have been received by the Maxwell pensions unit at the DSS; how many pensioners have received assistance from the unit to date; and how many have been refused;
(3) how much of the £2.5 million allocated to the Maxwell pensions unit remains undistributed; and what estimate can be made of the funds required to meet the pensions of existing pensioners and deferred pensioners in future.
§ Miss WiddecombeJust over £1 million has been allocated by the Department's Maxwell pensions unit in grants to the eight Maxwell-linked pension schemes who have applied for assistance. These grants have enabled pensions to be paid to some 5,500 pensioners, deferred pensioners and ill health early retirers whose payments were at risk. Grants are made to pension scheme trustees and not to individual pensioners. It is not possible to project accurately future funding requirements as these are dependent on continuing work to rebuild pension schemes. We have no plans to increase the £1.5 million which remains in the emergency fund, and we are keeping the question of its further use under review.