§ Mr. EffordTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 22 July 1999,Official Report, column 632, (1) if the remit of the single ombudsman as proposed in the Financial Services and Markets Bill will extend to matters relating to permanent health insurers and claims of individuals suffering from chronic diseases; [94032]
(2) if individuals covered through a contract of their employer with a permanent health insurer will have the right to complain to the single ombudsman; and if he will make a statement; [94070]
(3) if the single ombudsman will have the power to investigate the methods used by permanent health insurers to assess the medical and mental condition of claimants. [94031]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe carrying on of permanent health insurance business will continue to be an activity requiring authorisation under the Financial Services and Markets Bill, as it is now under the Insurance Companies Act 1982.
The Bill will require any authorised person who carries on those regulated activities specified by the Financial Services Authority to be subject to the compulsory jurisdiction of the new Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme.
The Authority is due to consult on the activities which it proposes should be covered by the compulsory jurisdiction of the Scheme before the end of the year. It is envisaged that it will cover permanent health insurance.
The details of the Scheme's remit, powers and eligibility of complainants will be specified in the rules set by the Authority. Such matters will also be addressed in the Authority's consultation.