§ Mr. BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how his Department publicised the consultation period for the discussion paper "Options for Equality in State Pension Age";
(2) if he will list the organisation and individuals to whom his Department circulated the discussion paper "Options for Equality in State Pension Ages" and those who responded to the paper.
§ Miss WiddecombeA period of public discussion was announced in the statement of my right hon. Friend on 26 June 1991 and press releases were issued in the usual way. When the discussion paper was published on 18 December 1991, publicity was by means of a written answer on 17 December to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North950W (Mr. Allen) column 145. Two press releases were also issued, the first on 18 December and the second on 17 June 1992. The latter was a reminder of the deadline for responses, 30 June. Both press releases inspired a large number of reports in the press, both national and local, and on radio and television.
The paper was circulated to pension industry organisations, the Confederation of British Industry, the Trades Union Congress, the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Occupational Pensions Board and the Pension Ombudsman. Copies were also sent to the Social Security Select Committee and Members of Parliament. The publicity surrounding the publication of the paper resulted in inquiries from a number of interested organisations, to which copies were sent.
To date, more than 3,700 responses have been received from both organisations and individuals.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will delay any decision on the equalisation of the pension age to allow time for(a) a further period of consultation with organisations affecting women in the United Kingdom on the financial consequences for women which would result from raising the pension age to 63 or 65 years and (b) a wider consideration of other aspects of the pension systems which would discriminate against women or men.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe discussion period on state pension age ended on 30 June, and over 3,700 responses have been received. We now intend to examine those responses in detail and we will also be taking the opportunity of meeting the representatives of various organisations with an interest, including those concerned with the position of women. We will be announcing the Government's proposals on this complex and important issue in due course after consideration of the views expressed.