Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Nigel Waterson (Conservative). It was answered on Monday, 9 January 2006 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

ASW Sheerness (Pension Scheme)

Question: While it is good news for those at ASW Cardiff that they have finally received something, why has the process taken more than 18 months to achieve? When will the 249 other schemes that have already been notified to the FAS be likely to receive some compensation? Will the Minister urgently review the amounts payable, the conditions for eligibility and the patent inadequacy of the funds earmarked for the FAS?

Answer: Let me make it clear that payments to the first of the former ASW employees were indeed made on schedule—before Christmas. However, it will still take some time for all people in that and other schemes to receive the payments that are due to them. This has been a pretty major exercise. We are expecting some 15,000 people to benefit, and a lot of data must be assembled to make the payments. I pay tribute to the staff, who have worked extremely hard to get the scheme in place, for what they have achieved and for securing the timetable and deadline that we set for making the first payments before the end of 2005.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 441 c12
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Financial assistance scheme Pensions ASW Compensation Insolvency Sheerness
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk