HC Deb 27 June 1995 vol 262 cc585-6W
Mr. Winnick

To 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. Arbuthnot

Ministers have held many meetings, both formal and informal, with parties interested in the 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