§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the implementation, time scale and content of accounting standard FRS 17 and its effects on standard and final salary pension schemes. [45264]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownAccounting standards are a matter for the Accounting Standards Board which is independent of Government. There are many factors affecting occupational pension provision including longer life expectancy and falling stockmarkets. It is not possible to isolate the effects of FRS 17 from these other factors.