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Occupational Pensions

I welcome the fact that the Secretary of State will look at the financial assistance scheme again. I can inform the House that my constituents are not looking for sympathy, as suggested by the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr. Hammond); they want their pensions back—the pensions that they have paid for. I am sorry to disagree with the Secretary of State, but they took out an occupational pension on Government advice in the belief that it would provide them with a guaranteed income in retirement. I am therefore disappointed that the ombudsman’s recommendations are not being accepted by the Government. It was my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field), not the Conservatives, who first mooted the idea of using unclaimed assets to try to provide restoration. Will my right hon. Friend speak to the Chancellor about that to see if it is one way in which restoration can be given?