§ Mr. George OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Consultative Committee of the Maxwell Communications Pension Plan; and if he will make a statement on the proposed reduction in benefits payable to pensioners under the plan. [88980]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe Government is aware of the difficulties surrounding the Maxwell Communications Pension Plan and sympathises with those affected.
We have had discussions with the Independent Trustee of the Plan, The Law Debenture Trust Corporation plc. but have received no request to meet the Consultative Committee of the. Maxwell Communication Pension Plan.
The difficulties faced by the Plan are not connected to Maxwell's original fraud but reflect the subsequent performance of the pension fund in relation to the scheme's liabilities. As we have made clear to Law Debenture, this is an issue for the trustees, not the Government.
We have set out the facts of the case in full in our response to representations received on this matter and I have placed a copy of that response in the Library.