Clause 5
Pensions Bill
2:00 pm
James Purnell (Minister of State (Pensions Reform), Department for Work and Pensions; Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour)
I do not think it would be appropriate to start negotiations on bilateral, reciprocal agreements when the Government’s policy has not changed. That would put the cart slightly before the horse. Of course, it is not legally necessary to have a reciprocal arrangement before making such payments. Any Government could do that unilaterally. The question is whether it would be sensible to do so. We think that it would be inappropriate to make such a decision without a reciprocal arrangement. However, the key point, which I have made already, is that we have our priorities, for which we have set out our reasons. With that, I urge the hon. Member for Yeovil to withdraw his amendment, but of course it is entirely up to him whether he does so.