Written question asked by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Thursday, 20 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 21 July 2000. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Friday, 21 July 2000 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on progress on the distribution to National Bus Company pensioners of the settlement sum paid over last July. - Inc figures.

Answer: Ms Rosie Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress on the distribution to National Bus Company pensioners of the settlement sum paid over last July. [132479] Mr. Hill: Distribution of the settlement is the responsibility of the National Bus Company pension trustees. We recognise this is a complex and substantial task but we have made clear to the trustees that we expect it to be completed as quickly as possible. I am pleased to note that interim payments were made in April to 8,000 pensioners who began receiving their Standard Life pension before April 1986 and that there will be interim payments from 1 August for post-1986 Standard Life pensioners who were members of the NBPF or who are widows of BEST or NBPF members. I understand that there will be a court hearing next week which the trustees hope will clear the way for further interim payments to be made as soon as possible. The Government hope that all concerned will do their utmost to remove any remaining obstacles to completion of the distribution without any unnecessary delay. We will remain in close touch with the trustees.

Secondary information