§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received since June 2001 on delays in crediting(a) contracting-out rebates and (b) employers' contributions to pension schemes; and if he will make a statement. [56589]
§ Ruth Kelly[holding answer 16 May 2002]: The information on (a) is not available and could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has advised me that on (b) the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra) received reports about delays in employer payments to occupational pension schemes, stakeholder and personal pension schemes. Since June 2001, reports have been received by Opra as follows:
Reports Occupational pension schemes 10,257 Personal pensions 152,510 Stakeholder pensions 8,271 Of these, only a small proportion was serious enough to lead to a sanction.