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Business of the House

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions recently published a written ministerial statement, setting out the Government’s response to that Public Administration Committee report. We understand the concern and we have the greatest respect for the ombudsman and the Public Administration Committee. Above all, we have great sympathy for the plight of people in this position. However, for reasons that we have set out, we cannot meet all the proposals that have been made and I do not believe that any Government could do so. As my right hon. Friend pointed out, we hope that what is termed ““deemed buy-back”” is carefully considered on an individual basis as one means of redressing the suffering that has been felt.