§ Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of applications to contract out of the new State pension scheme received by the Occupational Pensions Board up to 23rd March 1978.
§ Mr. OrmeThe Occupational Pensions Board estimates that between 18,000 and 19,000 applications had reached its premises by 23rd March 1978. Where, at 6th April 1978, an employer was awaiting the receipt of a contracting-out certificate, what is relevant for national insurance contribution purposes is whether his application had been dispatched to the OPB by 23rd March 1978. The OPB estimates that at least 19,000 had been so dispatched.