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Equitable Life

The ombudsman's report is pretty substantial. It involved four years of work, and it was right that the Government considered it carefully. But I wanted to give a commitment to respond to Sir John Chadwick's final report within a couple of weeks because of the sentiment that has been expressed in the House, which I have witnessed at close quarters since I became Chief Secretary. Since the debate last October, I have laid two written ministerial statements to keep hon. Members up to date with the progress of Sir John Chadwick's work. Last month, Sir John Chadwick and I had the opportunity to discuss the issues, some of which I hope will be aired this afternoon, with the all-party group on Equitable Life. I should like to record my thanks to my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, North-East (Mr. Hamilton) and the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel Kawczynski) for organising such an excellent event. This afternoon, I want to set out the Government's approach and put on the record in Hansard my response to some of the questions that have already been flagged up by right hon. and hon. Members.