Carillion Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Cabinet Office
Monday 15th January 2018

(6 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

As I also said in response to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton North East (Emma Reynolds), I completely understand the concerns that pension contributors and existing pensioners will have. As I said earlier, the official receiver will consider potential detriment to the interests of pension contributors and pensioners as well as to employees of the company, and may seek to impose penalties. In addition, the Pensions Regulator has the powers to recover payments made to executives or others in the company if there is evidence that they have abused their responsibilities.

Desmond Swayne Portrait Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)
- Hansard - -

Is my right hon. Friend confident that we are capable of recognising when companies are bidding too aggressively?

David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

As I said in response to my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Wood Green, when the initial situation has stabilised there will be a need to take a fresh look at how the Government go about the contracting process. We will certainly wish to take into account the point that my right hon. Friend the Member for New Forest West (Sir Desmond Swayne) makes.