Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 16 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 September 2003. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Thursday, 11 September 2003 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what research he has commissioned into the circumstances surrounding the collapse of Astra Training Services; what obligation the Government has to recompense former employees for lost pension payments; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research he has commissioned into the circumstances surrounding the collapse of Astra Training Services; what obligation the Government have to recompense former employees for lost pension payments; and if he will make a statement. [127072] Mr. Charles Clarke: I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Mudie), the responsible Minister at the time, carried out a review of the Astra collapse in 1999. That review concluded that the Government did not have any case to answer to recompense former Astra employees for lost pensions. Although I have a great deal of sympathy for the situation of former Astra employees, I consider that this is a private matter between those former Astra employees and the trustees, Fountain Trustee Limited.

Secondary information