§ 58. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what additions would be required in the con- 1423 tributions of the State, employers, and insured persons to enable old age pensions to be raised to 20s. and 15s., respectively, at the ages of 65 and 70 years, respectively; and what would be the total annual sums involved to the State by such additions?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleI am afraid that the working out of the contributions of the State, employers and insured persons necessary to cover extensions of the benefits of the social insurance schemes is a formidable task, and I would not feel justified in authorising the expense incurred. I have given in recent answers figures for the total cost of proposals closely analogous to those in the question. They range from about £22,000,000 a year for 15s. at 7o to £75,000,000 a year for 20s. at 65 (with 35s. for a married couple).
§ Mr. E. SmithWill the Minister bear in mind that it is time there was a substantial reduction in rents in this country, and that those reductions could be used for the purpose of giving adequate pensions to poor people?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleThat is another question.