§ 15. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of National Insurance if, in view of the fact that the average duration of the life of man is shorter than the average duration of the life of woman, he will take steps to ensure that men shall be paid their old age or retiring pension at an age no later in life than the age at which the old age or retiring pension is paid to women.
§ The Minister of National Insurance (Mr. Osbert Peake)An alteration of this kind would involve major changes in the financial structure of the National Insurance Scheme, and I cannot undertake to consider it at the present time.
§ Mr. Hector HughesBut if the poor old man is to die first, why should he get his pension last? In view of this undoubted biological superiority of women, will the Minister do something for the poor old men?
§ Mr. PeakeThe hon. and learned Gentleman must remember that we have to legislate for the rule and not for the exception; and let me assure him that none of us has noticed any diminution in his intellectual powers since he reached the age of 60.