Pensions Bill

I very much support the amendments of the noble Lords, Lord Oakeshott and Lord Kirkwood, and support what the noble Baroness, Lady Turner, said. I welcome the plan to link the pension with earnings, and noble Lords across the House feel strongly about that. I hope that the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Oakeshott, will be carried. In the event that it is not, can the Minister at least consider those who are 80 and above, because, making them wait until 2013 takes a risk that they will not be here. It would seem cruel to say to them, ““It’s going to happen, but you will probably not be around to benefit from it””. In the event that the Minister feels that he cannot support the much better amendment that has been proposed, will he at least consider the over-80s?