HC Deb 16 February 1994 vol 237 cc835-6W
Mr. Darling

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what information he has as to the number of pension providers that have made provision for claims against them in respect of possible mis-selling of personal pension plans; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what advice he has given to pension providers to show in their accounts appropriate provision against possible claims in respect of alleged mis-selling of personal pension plans; and if he will make a statement; Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971; how many applications have been granted; and how many have been refused.

Mr. Eggar

A total of 178 applications were made during 1993. All were granted.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for each exemption granted under section 23 from section 3 of the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971, the operator, the year, the volume of discharged cuttings and the measured oil content of discharged cuttings.

Mr. Eggar

A list showing operators and the total volume of discharged cuttings and oil content for the year 1993 is as follows:

(3) what information he has as to the total amount provided by the life assurance industry against claims in respect of alleged mis-selling of personal pension plans.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

The Department has written to life offices to ask them to indicate their likely exposure to compensation in respect of mis-selling of personal pensions, and to provide guidance on how the Department expects life offices to reserve for any such exposure in future Companies Act accounts and DTI returns. The Securities and Investments Board are seeking to determine the extent of the mis-selling. The position will not be clear until that review is completed. However, where life offices consider that they are likely to have a liability or a contingent liability, the Department expects this to be recognised in the published accounts.