Clause 41
Pensions Bill
5:00 pm
Andrew Selous (Shadow Minister, Work & Pensions; South West Bedfordshire, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 150, in clause 41, page 17, line 31, after ‘such’, insert ‘reasonable’.
I noted a curiosity in clause 41: “reasonable” appears in subsection (3)—new subsection (A1)—relating to the power to enter premises. That must be at a “reasonable time” for an employer. We would all accept that as sensible. Therefore, I was curious and a little concerned as to why in subsection (2), under paragraph (b) of new subsection (1A), people may be required
“before the Regulator at such time and place as may be specified”.
We all know that the Pensions Regulator has a good record so far. It has not behaved in an out-of-hand manner. There is always a possibility that has to be guarded against, that perhaps at some future time employees of the Pensions Regulator might be so exasperated by one employer that they might place demands—of when and where someone come before them—that were not reasonable. Only a small point, but this will be the law of the land when it goes through. “Reasonable” appears further on in the clause and could usefully be in the subsection I have indicated.