Pensions Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 11:00 am on 4 November 2004.

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Photo of Lord Higgins Lord Higgins Shadow Minister, Economic Affairs 11:00, 4 November 2004

My Lords, as I was also heavily engaged in the Civil Partnership Bill, perhaps one understands this a bit better than the general public may initially do.

I have just a couple of questions. First, is the noble Baroness saying that the PPF will in some circumstances pay out benefits that the recipients would not have received under the scheme of which they are a member? Secondly, is it proposed to make provision for unmarried opposite-sex couples regardless of whether the scheme of which they are a member and which has been taken over does so? More particularly, will unregistered same-sex couples be in the same position as unmarried opposite-sex couples? I think that that is rather important, not least as far as the intended operation of the Civil Partnership Bill is concerned.