25 NOVEMBER 1995, Page 38

Top-ups

Sir: Frank Johnson is indeed correct in his editorial (8 November) in describing com- pulsory saving as amounting to taxation, and Mr Chandler (Letters, 18 November) incorrect in seeking to deny it. The contrib- utors to compulsory savings have no control over the amount they have to pay or the time when they have to pay it. Nor do they have control over what the Government says it should be spent on. People who wish to top up their state pension can readily do so through private pensions or insurance. Peter Bauer

House of Lords