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Occupational Pensions

I will try to get through as much of the material covered in the speeches as I can. If I do not cover points made by Members I shall be happy to meet them to discuss matters with them and their constituents. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase (Dr. Wright) and the Select Committee on their work. I hope to go through as many of the points they raised as I can. I want to make it clear that the Government respect the role played by the ombudsman, and we will continue to do so. The case we have been discussing is exceptional. The Committee asked us to explain whether it was a new policy or a new approach. The case is exceptional. We shall continue our approach, which is to respect the ombudsman. In fact, in 39 years, this is the first time that my Department has not responded positively to an ombudsman’s findings.