§ 20. Major Guy Lloydasked the Minister of National Insurance what were the cost of living and rent bases on which social insurance payments were calculated; and to what degree these bases are still valid.
§ The Minister of National Insurance (Dr. Edith Summerskill)I would refer the hon. Member to the explanations given by my predecessor on 6th February, 1946, on moving the Second Reading of the National Insurance Bill, to which I do not think I can usefully add.
§ Major LloydDoes that mean that the Minister at that time and the Minister today admit that the social insurance payments have been cut since 1945?
§ Dr. SummerskillNo, Sir. I think that the hon. and gallant Gentleman will recall that the duty was placed upon the Minister to make a periodical review, and that review has not yet taken place.