Equitable Life — Government Should Accept Recommendations on Compensation — rejected — 21 Oct 2009 at 15:49

The majority of MPs voted against the motion, which read:^[1]

• This House
• notes that the Parliamentary Ombudsman has taken the unusual step of using powers under the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 to present Parliament with a further and final report on Equitable Life;
• also notes that the Public Administration Select Committee's Sixth Report, Justice denied? The Government's response to the Ombudsman's report on Equitable Life, concluded that the Government response to the Parliamentary Ombudsman's report was inadequate as a remedy for injustice;
• recognises the vital role the Ombudsman plays in public life;
• reaffirms the duty of Parliament to support the office of the Ombudsman;
• believes the Government should accept the recommendations of the Ombudsman on compensating policyholders who have suffered loss;
• notes the outcome of the Judicial Review announced on 15 October extending the period for compensation claims back to 1991;
• welcomes the formation of the All-Party Group on Justice for Equitable Life Policyholders; and
• notes with regret its necessary formation and the fact that over 30,000 people have already died waiting for a just resolution to this saga.

In its place an alternative motion was proposed, which read:^[2]

• This House
• notes that the Parliamentary Ombudsman has taken the unusual step...
• also notes the Public Administration Select Committee's Sixth Report Justice denied? The Government's response to the Ombudsman's report on Equitable Life;
• recognises the vital role the Ombudsman plays in public life;
• reaffirms the duty of Parliament to support the office of the Ombudsman;
• recognises the Government's determination to introduce an ex gratia payment scheme that is administratively quicker and simpler to deliver than that envisaged by the Ombudsman;
• further welcomes the Government's decision announced to the House on 20 October 2009 to widen the ex gratia payment scheme to include trapped annuitants who took out policies after mid-1991;
• urges Sir John Chadwick to report as quickly and expeditiously as possible; and
• recognises the impact and significant distress that maladministration and injustice have caused in respect of Equitable Life.

which passed without a further vote.

• [1] Vincent Cable MP, House of Commons, 21 October 2009
• [2] Liam Byrne MP, House of Commons, 21 October 2009

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