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Occupational Pensions

I can agree with some of the hon. Gentleman’s points, but I am afraid that I am unable to agree with his fundamental analysis of our response to the parliamentary commissioner’s report or to the arguments that I have advanced today. It is important—indeed, it is our responsibility—to place on the record why we disagree so strongly with the ombudsman’s findings. In particular, in relation to the second of her findings of maladministration, there is very strong evidence that the Government acted on the basis of proper professional advice and followed that advice at every stage of the decision-making process. That is not just my view, but that of the Government Actuary’s Department. In those circumstances, particularly given that we have not seen her actuarial advice, it is right and proper for me to put that on the record. I can confirm to the hon. Gentleman, as I should have done to the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr. Hammond), that we will set out the details of our costings when we produce our fuller response. It is simply untrue to say that the Government are not seeking to provide financial assistance and support for people who are caught up in these circumstances, terrible as they are. We are looking to see what more we can do. As I said in response to the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, that is the right and proper way for us to proceed.