§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what account he has taken in conducting a market test of his Department's retirement pensions forecasting unit of the proposed pensions legislation currently before Parliament. [16983]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe effect of the changes proposed by the Pensions Bill on the work of the Benefits Agency's retirement pensions forecasting unit will be taken fully into account when deciding on the feasibility of a market test.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will instigate an urgent inquiry to advise on the security implications of ensuring that private firms do not have direct or indirect access to the confidential national insurance information handled by the retirement pensions forecasting unit, in connection with the market testing exercise. [16984]
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§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe study into the feasibility of market testing the work of the retirement pensions forecasting unit will take the security of confidential information fully into account.