asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations she intends to have with the main organisations concerned with occupational pensions schemes about the matters in the Social Security Pensions Bill which are left to regulations.

I have arranged for a consultative document to be prepared in my Department setting out the regulation-making powers in the Social Security Pensions Bill and indicating the way in which they might be used, subject to parliamentary approval. Copies have been sent to the Trades Union Congress, the Confederation of British Industry and the main pensions organisations, each of which has been invited to comment on the document if it so wishes. A copy has also been placed in the Library of the House.