§ 45. Mr. CHARLES EDWARDSasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the widespread desire for a system of increased pensions for persons of 60 years of age and over so as to induce them to leave employment and thus make way for younger people, he will set up a committee to go fully into this matter and 1601 submit a report to this House, and further to report on the possibilities of an all-in insurance scheme, so that this House may have the fullest information before them?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Duff Cooper)I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 14th February to a supplementary question asked by the hon. Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. K. Lindsay).
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESIn view of the fact that the Government actuaries reported this year on the state of the contributory pensions scheme, would the Government be good enough to look further into this suggestion?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENDid my hon. Friend observe the other day that 57 men over 65 years of age were retired from Blaenavon Colliery, and that the whole colliery went on strike in indignation; and does he not realise that old men like to work while young men are not so keen on it?
§ Mr. EDWARDSDid the hon. Gentleman include in his reply the all-in insurance scheme, as suggested at the end of the question?
§ Mr. COOPERMy right hon. Friend's reply, to which I have referred, pointed out that such an inquiry, if undertaken, would show that the scheme would probably be impracticable.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIf the Treasury go into the matter, will they consider its application to right hon. and hon. Gentlemen who are Members of this House?