§ 30. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will introduce legislation to enable him to issue all old age pensioners with a free purchasing voucher to buy 1 cwt. of coal per week during the winter period.
§ Mr. PeakeNo, Sir. I cannot consider the proposal as it would be tantamount to a substantial increase in the rates of retirement pension so recently approved by Parliament. In any case, I would deprecate a re-introduction of the principle of payment in kind.
§ Mr. LewisDid not the Tory Party state in their manifesto that they were going to increase old age pensions, and does not the Minister think that something in that direction is long overdue?
Brigadier ClarkeDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that anyone will be lucky to get a cwt. of coal after the way the Socialists have messed things up?