CONDUCT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY

That this House notes with concern the oral Answer given by the Secretary of State for Social Security on 26th January, Official Report, column 5, on the implementation of the recommendations of the Government Actuary in respect of National Insurance rebates for private and occupational pension funds; notes that she asserted the Government had accepted the advice of the Government Actuary, whereas the Government has actually announced lower rebates than those recommended by the Government Actuary and, so far as contracted out money purchase schemes are concerned, the Government has announced greater reductions in the rebate than that recommended; and calls upon the Secretary of State to explain why she failed to accept the implement in full the recommendations made by the Government Actuary and to explain to those in occupational pension schemes why they are being treated as second class and have to pay higher monthly pension contributions as a result of this decision.