To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 26 May 2010, Official Report, columns 51-2WS, on Equitable Life, what progress he has made on his plans to make fair and transparent payments to Equitable Life policyholders through an independently designed payment scheme; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what timetable has been set for making payments to former Equitable Life policy holders; and when he expects the first such payment to be made.

Later this month, the Government will provide a detailed update on the steps towards implementing an independently designed payments scheme. This will be alongside Sir John Chadwick's report on relative losses suffered by Equitable Life policyholders as a consequence of the findings of maladministration and injustice made by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.