Clause 8 - Commencement
Armed Forces
10:30 am
Mr Ivor Caplin (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Defence; Hove, Labour)
With regard to the provisions set out in clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4, which we have dealt with in Committee, when I announced the details of the armed forces pensions scheme last September I said that we planned to introduce the new pensions scheme arrangements for new entrants on 6 April 2005. That remains our intention, subject to this legislative process. We are also planning to introduce the new
armed forces compensation scheme arrangements, covering all personnel, from that date as well. As indicated, those dates are subject to legislation.
Under clause 6, the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation is now working with its professional advisers on the creation of a new charity, to be the transferee of its properties and liabilities. It is expected that the commencement order will be made at the earliest opportunity, once an appropriate transferee is established. As I said earlier, I will be happy to ensure that the House is informed about that.