§ 38. Mr. George Craddockasked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that the National Spinsters' Association, at a recent conference, resolved not to repeat the request for optional pensions at 55 years, but to make approaches for such pensions commencing at age 58 years; and if he will consider introducing legislation to authorise the payment to spinsters of optional pensions from the age of 58 years for a limited number of years until 1963.
§ Mr. PeakeAs I have already informed the Association, their claim will be considered with others at the first quinquennial review of the National Insurance scheme.
§ Mr. CraddockMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he thinks it would be an advantage to meet the representatives of this Association having regard to the change in their programme that they wish considered?
§ Mr. PeakeI declined recently to receive a deputation because I did not wish to raise any false hopes in this matter. This claim has been rejected by my predecessors, and many people feel that women already enjoy a sufficient advantage by drawing their pensions five years sooner than men.
§ Mr. H. HyndWhile the Minister may learn lessons from the previous Government, may I ask if he will decline to feel himself bound by the mistakes which they made?