§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the planned dates of publication of the Green Papers on(a) welfare and (b) pension reform. [15828]
§ Mr. FieldIt is our intention to publish a Green Paper on Welfare Reform at the turn of the year.
The first part of the Pensions Review ended on 31 October and we are now carefully considering the approximately 1,800 responses we have received from pensions providers, employers, employees, consumers, pensions experts and pensioners themselves. We intend to publish an initial framework for change in the first half of 1998. There will then be a period of further consultation before final, detailed proposals are developed.