§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the current position with regard to the Hepple case. [54034]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Hepple case is currently being litigated before the Social Security Commissioner and concerns whether the Reduced Earnings Allowance provisions comply with European Community law on grounds of gender. The Commissioner has referred the case to the European Court of Justice for a ruling. We maintain that the Reduced Earnings Allowance provisions are in accordance with our obligations under Community law.