I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 145 together.
The report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions was published on 31 January 2001. The Government intends to make formal decisions on the commission's recommendations once it has had an opportunity to consider the report in detail.
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness provides that a working group of the public service unions, relevant Departments and other appropriate bodies is to be established following Government consideration of the report of the commission to advise on the implementation of the relevant Government decisions with a view to introducing as quickly as possible any proposed changes in service pension arrangements, including those for low paid workers. The Government will move to establish that working group when it has made its decisions on the commission's recommendations.