Supply of information about pension compensation in relation to divorce etc

Amendment made: No. 179, in clause 92, page 43, line 10, at end insert—

‘(iv) orders for financial provision under section 8 of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 (c. 37) (orders for financial provision);

(v) provision as to pension sharing, or pension compensation sharing, that is contained in an  agreement that is a qualifying agreement for the purposes of section 28(1)(b) and (c) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30) (activation of pension sharing) or this Chapter.’.—[Mr. O'Brien.]

Question put, That the clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

Again, I have a couple of points that relate equally to clause 93, so I have the chance to make them twice. Both clauses relate to provisions to allow the supply and sharing of information, and therefore presumably the transfer of information between bodies. I raised that point at an earlier stage when we talked about transferring information in other circumstances and it is an obvious one: the Minister may wish to reassure the Committee about the appropriate security provisions and so on that will be made with regard to information that is being transferred. There have been well-publicised problems about information being lost and during the course of a transfer. Therefore, if regulations are made under the clause to allow information to be passed from one body to another—for example, from a pension protection fund to another body—we must ensure that it is done in the most secure way possible to avoid any data loss taking place as a result of the clause.

I reassure the hon. Gentleman that in terms of information being transferred between pension trustees and the PPF, or information being transferred further to the various transferors and transferees who will receive the payments, we will do all we can to ensure that information is properly handled. The PPF already has to handle substantial amounts of personal data, and it is right to highlight the importance of security. The PPF has managed to do that with some degree of skill. It is always the case, particularly in the light of recent events, that we should be more concerned than we have been that data can be lost. I reassure the hon. Gentleman that as a result of his comments I will draw to the attention of the board of the PPF that Members want it to be sure that its handling of data is at the level of security and competence that we have a right to expect.

Clause 92, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 93 ordered to stand part of the Bill.