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Pensions Bill

It depends on the circumstances in which that guidance is offered. During my time on the child maintenance programme, there was a raft of meetings with officials from the redesign team, who would discuss various options, and various steers were given. Those options were then worked up, documented and put into the system. It also depends on the level of issue that is being dealt with. Often the guidance is not put in writing at the point of delivery; invariably it is in documentation and specific proposals, and sometimes in specific regulations, as I have just outlined. That is the normal process of government. I hope that the noble Baroness will respect the fact that issues surrounding policy formation are confidential within government and are protected under the Freedom of Information Act. What is important, once guidance has been issued—whether it is ignored or taken on board—is that the resulting policy is properly documented and implemented and that Parliament has the opportunity to see the results.