§ 14. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health whether he is considering, or will consider, increasing the basic scale of old age pensions in view of the substantial rise in the cost of living, and the hardship to old age pensioners this involves?
§ Mr. E. BrownNo, Sir. It is the considered policy of the Government, embodied in Part II of the Old Age and Widows' Pensions Act, 1940, that the position to which my hon. Friend refers should be met, not by increasing the basic rate of old age pension, but by the provision of supplementary pensions in cases of need.
§ Mr. SorensenIf in course of time it is found that the rise in the cost of living is likely to be permanent, will there then be some reconsideration?