§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the 499W implementation of TUPE regulations with respect to (a) final salary pension schemes and (b) other pension rights. [132864]
§ Mr. SutcliffeAn announcement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions was made on 11 June 2003 to the effect that a degree of protection will in future be provided for occupational pension rights on transfer. My right hon. Friend intends to take forward these proposals through primary legislation when parliamentary time allows. I do not propose therefore to implement them through the forthcoming revision of TUPE regulations, on which I expect to consult publicly around the turn of the year.