---

Dept for Work and Pensions

Answer

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on investigation into the Warwick Group Pension Scheme, the Debenholt Pension and Life Assurance Scheme and the Warwick Sport and Leisure Ltd. Retirement Benefits Scheme, including actions by (a) the Pensions Ombudsman and (b) the independent trustees (i) in respect of these schemes and (ii) in respect of the former trustees Norman and Simon Gidney. [9652] Mr. McCartney: The Pensions Ombudsman has received complaints in relation to the Warwick Group Pension Scheme and the Debenholt Pension and Life Assurance Scheme. He has issued his determination in respect of a number of the complaints made, others remain to be considered. The Pensions Ombudsman is an independent statutory commissioner and we cannot comment on his determinations or on actions taken during his investigation of complaints. Copies of his determinations are available on the Pensions Ombudsman's website. The Independent Trustee is still taking action to wind up the Warwick Group Pension Scheme and the Debenholt Pension and Life Assurance scheme which are associated schemes. The Warwick Sport and Leisure Ltd. Retirement Benefits Scheme has been wound up. The Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority has investigated breaches of the Pensions Act 1995 in relation to all three schemes. As a result of its investigation Mr. N. Gidney and Mr. S. Gidney were both disqualified from acting as a trustee of any occupational pension scheme and fined in respect of 13 breaches of the Pensions Act 1995.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

9652; 373 c845-6W;373 c847-8W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Complaints Workplace pensions Pensions Ombudsman Trusts Gidney, Norman Gidney, Simon

Legislation

Pensions Act 1995

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk