Equitable Life Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Equitable Life

Andrew Percy Excerpts
Thursday 22nd July 2010

(14 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mark Hoban Portrait Mr Hoban
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My hon. Friend makes an important point. Confidence in this process was significantly eroded by the previous Government. I hope that what I have announced today will enable policyholders to turn a new page and recognise that we are determined to be much more open and transparent in our approach, and that will help to build the credibility of the process.

Andrew Percy Portrait Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con)
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Policyholders in my constituency are not interested in apologies that come nine years too late: they want justice. The Financial Secretary has outlined the start date for payments, but will he set a concluding date for the completion of this whole saga?

Mark Hoban Portrait Mr Hoban
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I am conscious that this is a very complex business. There are 1.5 million policyholders with 2 million policies and 30 million transactions. The policies are not straightforward and the data are old and difficult to access. I want to do as much as I can to make the process as quick as possible, and my hon. Friend has my commitment that I will do everything that I can to ensure that the date is speeded up.