Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill — New Clause — 3 Nov 1999

Lords amendment disagreed to.

Lords amendment: No. 1, to insert the following new clause--

("Part ZI

Additional pension

Additional pension for widows or widowers

(".--(1) The Secretary to State shall by regulations make provision for one or more of the following--

(a) to substitute, in any provision of the Contributions and Benefits Act which relates to additional pension for widows or widowers, for any sum payable by way of such pension as is derived from the contributions of a deceased spouse, such higher sum as may be prescribed;

(b) to substitute, in any such provision, for any prescribed reference to the year 2000, a reference to such later year as may be prescribed;

(c) to establish a scheme to compensate persons who are widowed after 5th April 2000 and who suffered loss as a result of any action or failure to act in reliance on incorrect information received from a Government department with respect to the reduction in the additional pension payable to them as a result of the enactment of the former section 19 of the Social Security Act 1986.

(2) If regulations under subsection (1) are not in force on 5th April 2000, then until such time as such regulations are in force, the provisions of the Contributions and Benefits Act to which paragraph (a) of that subsection apply shall continue to have effect as in force on that date.

(3) No regulations shall be made under subsection (1) unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.")

I beg to move, That this House disagrees with the Lords in the said amendment.

Mr. Deputy Speaker:

With this, it will be convenient to take the Government amendment in lieu thereof, amendment (a) to the amendment in lieu thereof, and the consequential Government amendment.

The previous Government were legislating well in advance, in 1986. Similarly, changes to the retirement age for men and women over 10 years will be phased in from 2010 to 2020. It was right to give plenty of warning, but people have to be told.

Lords amendment disagreed to.

Government amendment in lieu of the Lords amendment and consequential Government amendment agreed to.

Lords amendment: No. 2, in page 1, line 20, leave out

("or section 176 of the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993")

I beg to move, That this House agrees with the Lords in the said amendment.

Mr. Deputy Speaker:

With this, it will be convenient to discuss Lords amendments Nos. 3 to 16, 83, 89 and 97 to 101.

Lords amendment agreed to.

Lords amendment No. 3 disagreed to.

Lords amendment Nos. 4 to 16 agreed to.

Lords amendment: No. 17, in page 21, line 10, leave out ("debtor's")

I beg to move, That this House agrees with the Lords in the said amendment.

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Michael J. Martin):

With this, it will be convenient to discuss Lords amendments Nos. 18, 19, 82, 102 and 163 to 175.

Lords amendment agreed to.

Lords amendments Nos. 18 and 19 agreed to.

Lords amendment: No. 20, after clause 18, to insert the following new clause-- War pensions for widows: entitlement --

I beg to move, That this House disagrees with the Lords in the said amendment.

The amendment relates to the situation of war widows. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, who leads on these issues, has asked me to put the case to the House, and I hope that hon. Members will find that acceptable. We recognise, as everyone does, the importance of ensuring that the dependants of those who are killed as a result of their service careers are properly looked after. The Government greatly value the contribution that those people have made for their country.

3 Nov 1999 : Column 385

Question put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in the said amendment:--

The House divided: Ayes 363, Noes 193.

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