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Pensions Bill

moved Amendment No. 94: 94: Clause 38, page 19, line 2, leave out ““may”” and insert ““shall”” The noble Lord said: I shall also speak to Amendment No. 95. Many of these compliance provisions are extremely time-sensitive. We have discussed the enormous escalation of a penalty notice that might occur within a very short time, as well as the importance of an employer complying with an unpaid contributions notice within the prescribed period. It therefore seems to be a necessity rather than an option that, in the event of a review of a notice, its effect will be suspended. The amendment would make such a suspension the default position, allowing the employer to clarify any uncertainty or to plead his case as to why the notice is unnecessary without having to be concerned about how long it will take for the regulator to get back to him. Amendment No. 95 is even simpler. Could the Minister please clarify the difference between substituting a different notice, as allowed by subsection (6)(b) and the power to vary a notice in subsection (6)(a)? Why does the Bill require both options? I beg to move.