§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his oral answer of 19 June 1995,Official Report, column 616 if he will list the organisations seen by a Minister; and if he will give a breakdown of the correspondence referred to. [31134]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotMinisters have held many meetings, both formal and informal, with parties interested in the586W Pensions Bill. They have met hon. Members, noble Lords, pressure groups and employers.
In the past eight months, Ministers have met and discussed pensions' issues with the following organisations:
The Law Society, The Pension Trustees Forum, The ABI, British Airways, The Association of Pensioner Trustees, The Fawcett Society, The National Federation of Sub-Postmasters, The Captains of Industry, The PMI, The CBI, The National Federation of Post Office and BT Pensioners, The Pensions Ombudsman, The EOC, Royal Insurance, OPAS, The Campaign for Pension Fund Democracy, The Consumers Association, Bacon and Woodrow, The Prudential Corporation, The Society of Pension Consultants, The TUC, Pensioners Voice, The National Association of Pension Funds, Scottish Widows, Hill Samuel, Greig Middleton and Co and The Occupational Pensions Board.A breakdown of the 900 items of ministerial correspondence dealt with since the beginning of the year is given in the table. Some covered more than one topic and therefore the total is more than 900.
Description of Subject Number Christmas Bonus 13 Pension Age 198 Over 80's Pension/Age Addition 40 Earnings Rule/Retirement Condition 1 Concessions 14 Benefit Levels 203 Uprating 145 RPI 23 Restoration of link with earnings 19 Means Test/Abolish RP 7 EC Comparison 24 VAT on Fuel 84 Delays 3 Individual Benefit Position 122 Home Responsibilities Protection 4 Increments 1 Graduated Pension 4 Dual Title/Topping Up 20 SERPS 22 Additional Pension Queries 10 Public Service Pension Queries 4 Pension Paydays 34 ACT Invitation Exercise 2 Divorce 9 Widower's Benefit 8 Method of Payment 2 Procedures 2 Publications 2 Forms 2 Ax Stat Awards 1 Alleged Misdirection 3 Compensation 7 Bank Charges 1 Miscellaneous 151