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Pensions Bill

I thank the noble Lord, Lord Oakeshott, for attempting to get a little more clarity. We received none; all we got was one of the Minister’s favourite mantras for the Bill—he wants flexibility. This is when the Government either do not know the answer or do not want to tell us what they are going to do with the Bill. It has been relatively clear from the outset. The Pensions Commission recommended that the bands be uprated in line with earnings. The Government, in their White Paper, accepted that recommendation. The Minister has said that he accepts it on more than one occasion at the Dispatch Box. However, when we seek to get that reflected in the Bill we are confronted with complete obduracy for reasons that have not been articulated, except to say that it is for flexibility. That is not satisfactory, and I seek to test the opinion of the Committee. On Question, Whether the said amendment (No. 45) shall be agreed to? Their Lordships divided: Contents, 107; Not-Contents, 104. [Amendment No. 46 not moved.]