§ Sir Fergus Montgomeryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to appoint a new chairman of the Occupational Pensions Board.
§ Mr. FowlerI have appointed Mr. Jeremy Rowe CBE as Chairman of the Board from 6 April 1987, in succession to Mr. Ronald Abbott CBE, whose term of office ends on 5 April.
Mr. Rowe is Deputy Chairman of the Abbey National building society and Chairman of Peterborough development corporation. He also chaired the housing benefit review team which I set up as part of the social security review in 1984. His wide experience in both public and private sectors will enable him to bring a broad perspective to the job of chairman of the Occupational Pensions Board, reflecting the Board's wider responsibilities with the advent of our personal and occupational pension reforms.
I wish to pay tribute to the valuable service of Mr. Abbott as Chairman of the Board since July 1982 and, before that, as Deputy Chairman since its foundation. Under his leadership the board has been notably successful and authoritative in discharging their duties, and many of our pension reforms reflect their expert advice.
Mr. Abbott has received most valuable support from Mr. Eric Rogers as deputy chairman of the board; and I am delighted that Mr. Rogers has agreed to accept reappointment for two years from 6 April.