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Equitable Life

The hon. Gentleman has made his point very eloquently. Many of us have questioned the Government’s announcement that ex gratia payments will be made to people who have suffered "disproportionate impact". I understand why the Chief Secretary or other Ministers may be unwilling to give a single example of disproportionate impact, and probably cannot provide a comprehensive definition of everyone who has suffered one, but could we at least be given a definition of a proportionate impact? That would enable us to identify those who might be counted out, although I have certainly not heard from anyone who feels that he or she has suffered proportionate impact.