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Pensions Bill

My Lords, I am glad that my noble friend believes—how can I best put it?—that half a loaf is better than no bread. Ably assisted by my noble friend Lord Norton of Louth, he has achieved the first step in his ambition, expressed in his maiden speech to your Lordships—I recall that that was in 2001, so it was a few years back—to introduce post-legislative scrutiny. The Minister for Pensions Reform may not understand exactly what it means, as he showed in another place yesterday, but in the very unlikely event that he lasts long enough in his job—I note that being Minister for Pensions in this Government is not exactly secure—he most assuredly will. Talking about Ministers’ misapprehensions, I must also gently chide the Minister for believing that there was a division of opinion between my colleague Mr Waterson and myself on this amendment. Let me assure him that we are as one on all issues to do with pensions, including the Government’s disgraceful rejection of the lifeboat scheme and the retirement income fund, which was so well championed by my noble friend Lord Hunt of Wirral. I am grateful for their support on the Bill, as I am to the Minister when he really tries to represent the feelings of your Lordships’ House to his colleagues in another place.