§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will introduce measures to provide temporary pension payments for Maxwell pensioners whose payments have ceased, pending the outcome of continuing investigations into the activities of Robert Maxwell and others; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeExisting legislation provides protection for those members of pension schemes who have been contracted out of the state earnings-related pension scheme (SERPS). If any scheme is wound up, there is a statutory provision designed to protect the guaranteed minimum pension which contracted-out schemes are required to provide. If there are not sufficient assets in the scheme to secure that level of pension, the Government ensure through SERPS that scheme members receive a pension equivalent to that which they would have received had they remained in SERPS. If any pensioner is facing financial difficulty and is unsure about his or her state benefit entitlement, he or she should contact the local social security office, which has been alerted to the difficulties that these pensioners face.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to require each pension fund to furnish him with an annual statement on the performance of the fund and on the security of its investments; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeI refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 21 January 1992 at column183.