Pensions Bill

I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Noakes, for the amendment and the series of amendments she has tabled. Perhaps I should say up front that given their source, we knew they would be probing but focused on technical matters. Although I believe that what is intended by all of them, apart from one, is covered by the legislation, it might be fruitful for us to organise a meeting between now and the Report stage, perhaps together with the Law Society of Scotland and officials, to go through the position in detail. I do not believe that these amendments are necessary and I hope that I can set the noble Baroness’s mind at rest as I address each in turn. These two amendments specify that it is the GMP provision in respect of earners and survivors whose GMPs are being converted which may be omitted from the provisions of the scheme. However, I can assure the noble Baroness that this is already the effect of the clause. As it stands, it inserts a subsection into Sections 13 and 17 of the Pension SchemesAct disapplying them where GMP conversion has occurred. As Sections 13 and 17 apply to individuals rather than to schemes, it follows that the inserted sections on GMP conversion will equally apply to individuals only. I hope that that shorthand response explains the situation, but, as I say, we ought to hold a meeting to go over the detail.