Pension Schemes Act 1993

149 Procedure on an investigation. E+W+S

(1) Where the Pensions Ombudsman proposes to conduct an investigation into a complaint made or dispute referred under this Part, he shall give—

(a) [F1 any person (other than the person by whom, or on whose behalf, the complaint or reference was made) responsible for the management of the scheme to which the complaint or reference relates], and

(b) any other person against whom allegations are made in the complaint or reference,

an opportunity to comment on any allegations contained in the complaint or reference.

(2) The Secretary of State may make rules with respect to the procedure which is to be adopted in connection with the making of complaints, the reference of disputes, and the investigation of complaints made and disputes referred, under this Part.

(3) The rules may include provision—

(a) requiring any oral hearing held in connection with such an investigation to take place in public, except in such cases as may be specified in the rules; F2 ...

(b) as to the persons entitled to appear and be heard on behalf of parties to an investigation, as defined in section 148(5); [F3 and

(c) for the payment by the Ombudsman of such travelling and other allowances (including compensation for loss of remunerative time) as the Secretary of State may determine, to—

(i) actual or potential beneficiaries of a scheme to which a complaint or reference relates, or

(ii) persons appearing and being heard on behalf of such actual or potential beneficiaries,

who attend at the request of the Ombudsman any oral hearing held in connection with an investigation into the complaint or dispute.]

(4) Subject to any provision made by the rules, the procedure for conducting such an investigation shall be such as the Pensions Ombudsman considers appropriate in the circumstances of the case; and he may, in particular, obtain information from such persons and in such manner, and make such inquiries, as he thinks fit.

[F4 (5) The Pensions Ombudsman may disclose any information which he obtains for the purposes of an investigation under this Part to any person to whom subsection (6) applies, if the Ombudsman considers that the disclosure would enable or assist that person to discharge any of his functions.

(6) This subsection applies to the following—

(a) the Regulatory Authority,

(b) the Pensions Compensation Board,

(c) the Registrar,

(d) any department of the Government (including the government of Northern Ireland),

(e) the [F5 Financial Services Authority],

(f) the Friendly Societies Commission,

(g) the Building Societies Commission,

(h) an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State under Part XIV of the Companies Act 1985 or section 94 or 177 of the Financial Services Act 1986,

(j) an inspector appointed by the Department of Economic Development in Northern Ireland under Part XV of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986,

(k) a person authorised under section 106 of the Financial Services Act 1986 to exercise powers conferred by section 105 of that Act,

(l) a designated agency or transferee body or the competent authority within the meaning of that Act, and

(m) a recognised self-regulating organisation, recognised professional body, recognised investment exchange or recognised clearing house, within the meaning of that Act.

(7) The Secretary of State may by order—

(a) amend subsection (6) by adding any person or removing any person for the time being specified in that subsection, or

(b) restrict the circumstances in which, or impose conditions subject to which, disclosure may be made to any person for the time being specified in that subsection.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 149(1)(a) substituted (6.4.1997) by Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26), ss. 157(7), 180(1); S.I. 1997/664, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. 2

F2 Word in s. 149(3)(a) repealed (1.6.1996 for specified purposes, 16.10.1996 for specified purposes, 6.4.1997 in so far as not already in force) by Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26), ss. 158(b), 180(1), Sch. 7 Pt. IV; S.I. 1996/1412, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. 2; S.I. 1996/2637, art. 4; S.I. 1997/664, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. 2

F3 S. 149(3)(c) and word inserted (1.6.1996 for specified purposes, 16.10.1996 for specified purposes, 6.4.1997 in so far as not already in force) by Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26), ss. 158(a), 180(1); S.I. 1996/1412, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. 2; S.I. 1996/2637, art. 4; S.I. 1997/664, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. 2

F4 S. 149(5)-(7) added (6.4.1997) by Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26), ss. 159(1), 180(1); S.I. 1997/664, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. 2

F5 Words in s. 149(6)(e) substituted (1.6.1998) by Bank of England Act 1998 (c. 11), s. 45, Sch. 5 para. 69(2); S.I. 1998/1120, art. 2

Commencement Information

I1 Ss. 1-187 in force at 7.2.1994 by S.I. 1994/86, art. 2