Equitable Life - A Day for Justice

11.11.53am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Oct 2009

Edinburgh South Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson Fred Mackintosh is urging all Edinburgh MP's to back Vince Cable's motion in parliament today calling on the Government to accept the recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman on compensating Equitable Life policyholders who have suffered loss.

Fred Mackintosh said, "Over the past year I have been contacted by increasing numbers of constituents who are Equitable Life policyholders. As time passes their mood has changed from hope to despair that the Government will ever properly compensate them. Today is the opportunity for MPs of all parties to stand up and be counted on this issue of fairness and justice."

Today the Liberal Democrats will use one of their allocated days of parliamentary business to debate and hold a vote on the following parliamentary motion in the name of Nick Clegg and Vince Cable:-

EQUITABLE LIFE

That this House notes the Parliamentary Ombudsman has taken the unusual step of using powers under the 1967 Act to present Parliament with a further and final report on Equitable Life; also notes that the Public Administration Select Committee's second report on Equitable Life, Justice denied? concluded that the Government response to the Parliamentary Ombudsman's report was inadequate as a remedy for injustice; recognises the vital role the Ombudsman plays in public life; reaffirms the duty of Parliament to support the office of the Ombudsman; believes the Government should accept the recommendations of the Ombudsman on compensating policyholders who have suffered loss; notes the outcome of the Judicial Review announced on 15th October extending the period for compensation claims back to 1991; welcomes the formation of the All-Party Group on Justice for Equitable Life Policyholders; and notes with regret its necessary formation and the fact that over 30,000 people have already died waiting for a just resolution to this saga.