HC Deb 14 February 2000 vol 344 cc437-9W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the implications of the Data Protection Act 1986 for his plans to issue combined forecasts of state and private pension entitlements. [109843]

Mr. Rooker

In developing our plans for combined pension forecasts we have considered carefully the data protection implications and consulted the Data Protection Registrar.

We intend to include a measure in the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill which will provide that details of State pension rights can be passed to employers and pension scheme providers unless individuals have indicated that they do not want such information disclosed. This measure will include safeguards to ensure that individual rights are properly protected while minimising the administrative burden on employers and pension providers of providing the new service.