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Pensions Bill

moved Amendment No. 85: 85: Schedule 6, page 58, line 6, at end insert— ““( ) The Secretary of State shall have a duty to ensure that the interests of consumers are represented by a member or members of the Authority.”” The noble Baroness said: I shall speak also to Amendments Nos. 85A, 104 and 104A, all of which I support. As the Committee will know, the TUC has in general been very supportive of the Bill and particularly welcomes the establishment of the delivery authority as far as the personal account scheme is concerned. However, it would like to ensure that the authority is fully representative of the people to be covered by this section of the Bill: consumers. That is why I have tabled the amendment. Not surprisingly, the Consumers’ Association feels the same way and believes that there should be consumer representation on the board. It particularly welcomes the statement by the Secretary of Stateon 27 May 2007 that personal accounts will be a trust-based occupational scheme and a members’ panel will be established to ensure that members’ views are taken into account. It points out that when the Pensions Bill was debated in the House of Commons, cross-party support was given to the idea that consumers be placed at the heart, as they put it, of personal accounts. It also draws attention to the Work and Pensions Select Committee report, which concluded that, "““the consumer voice must be heard from the inside at both Advisory and Executive Delivery Authority stages and we look to the Government to bring forward proposals that will enable this to take place””." It is concerned to ensure that, despite the assurances given, this provision is made in the Bill; hence, we have tabled these amendments. The Consumers’ Association also seeks a consumer committee members’ panel to be written into the Bill. It thinks such a panel would serve as a crucial sounding board for personal accounts policy decisions, in relation to the impact that decisions will have on the consumer. They think that it will add independent scrutiny and advice, ensure the direct involvement of key representative stakeholders and therefore the consumer voice, and improve the quality of decision-making. I am sure your Lordships are not surprised to hear that from the Consumers’ Association; that is what it is in business to do. I hope this set of suggestions will receive support from the Front Bench, as we think they are reasonable. My noble friend will no doubt add her views on her own amendments, which I also support.