text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Equitable Life - Government should accept recommendations on compensation - rejected
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  
  
  @ MP voted aye to ask the Government to accept Ombudsman recommendations on compensating Equitable Life policy holders
  @ MP voted no to assert that the Government's actions regarding compensation of Equitable Life policy holders was adequate
  
  The majority of MPs voted against the motion, which read:[1]
  
  ** This House 
  * ''notes'' that the Parliamentary Ombudsman has taken the unusual step of using powers under the [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/RevisedStatutes/Acts/ukpga/1967/cukpga_19670013_en_1 Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967] to present Parliament with a further and final report on Equitable Life; 
  * ''also notes'' that the Public Administration Select Committee's Sixth Report, Justice denied? [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmpubadm/219/21902.htm The Government's response to the Ombudsman's report on Equitable Life], 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 15 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.
  
  In its place an alternative motion was proposed, which read:[2]
  
  ** This House 
  * ''notes'' that the Parliamentary Ombudsman has taken the unusual step...
  * ''also notes'' the Public Administration Select Committee's Sixth Report [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmpubadm/219/21902.htm Justice denied? The Government's response to the Ombudsman's report on Equitable Life]; 
  * ''recognises'' the vital role the Ombudsman plays in public life; 
  * ''reaffirms'' the duty of Parliament to support the office of the Ombudsman; 
  * ''recognises'' the Government's determination to introduce an ex gratia payment scheme that is administratively quicker and simpler to deliver than that envisaged by the Ombudsman; 
  * ''further welcomes'' the Government's decision announced to the House on 20 October 2009 to widen the ex gratia payment scheme to include trapped annuitants who took out policies after mid-1991; 
  * ''urges'' Sir John Chadwick to report as quickly and expeditiously as possible; and 
  * ''recognises'' the impact and significant distress that maladministration and injustice have caused in respect of Equitable Life.
  
  which passed without a further vote.
  
  * [1] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2009-10-21a.918.1 Vincent Cable MP], House of Commons, 21 October 2009
  * [2] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2009-10-21a.918.1#g926.0 Liam Byrne MP], House of Commons, 21 October 2009
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  