§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the implications of the High Court judgment in the case of Hillsdown Holdings for the powers and procedures of the pensions ombudsman. [39916]
§ Mr. HealdI understand that the High Court dismissed the appeal against the pensions ombudsman's determination in the Hillsdown Holdings case. The pensions ombudsman is an independent statutory commissioner. His powers and procedures are set out in the Pension Schemes Act 1993 and in regulations made under that Act. Although these powers are being amended and extended as from April 1997 by the Pensions Act 1995 and consequent regulations, this is not as a result of the Hillsdown Holdings case. We have no plans for any changes following the High Court ruling in that case.