§ 6. Mr. Longdenasked the Minister of National Insurance if he will give an estimate of the likely approximate cost to the Exchequer of granting basic pensions to spinsters at the age of 55.
§ The Minister of National Insurance (Mr. James Griffiths)I assume that by "basic pensions" my hon. Friend means pensions at the rate of 26s. a week. It is estimated that the cost of granting such pensions under the National Insurance Scheme to spinsters from the age of 55 would be about £9 million in the first full year, rising to about £14 million aften ten years, when those not insured at the outset had become qualified. This would mean an increase in contributions under the scheme in respect of spinsters of about 7½d., together with a substantially increased contribution from the Exchequer.