Written question asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Sassoon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 5 April 2011.

Insurance: Gender Discrimination

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 23 March (WA 177) concerning the decision of the European Court of Justice on insurance and gender discrimination, whether they intend to take action to ensure that insurance and other companies covered by the ruling can continue to run their operations on the basis of risk and other non-gender considerations.

Answer: The Government are disappointed by this judgment. We made very clear our concerns about any move to prevent the use of gender as a risk factor in the pricing of insurance policies. We believe that the ability of insurers to price on the basis of risk is integral to their need to conduct business efficiently. The Government will continue to work closely with the Financial Services Authority and Association of British Insurers in order to ensure that the negative impacts for customers and industry are reduced as far as possible.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 8152; 726 c355WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: European Communities Act 1972
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Gender Insurance Discrimination Judgements European Court of Justice
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk