§ 47. Mr. Gowerasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether the quinquennial review into the operation of the National Insurance Acts will include consideration of the possibility of relating the monetary value of benefits to changing money values.
§ Mr. PeakeThis suggestion was gone into very carefully when the National Insurance Bill was before the House in 1946. The right hon. Member for 598 Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths), who was Minister of National Insurance at the time, told the House that he was definitely of the view that it was undesirable, as well as impracticable, to have automatic adjustment. I have seen nothing to lead me to doubt the soundness of this view, but the suggestion will, no doubt, be considered with many others which will be put forward.
§ Mr. GowerDoes my right hon. Friend agree that this system would have the advantage of flexibility and, moreover, would relieve him of many questions of the kind he has had today?
§ Mr. PeakeIt would also have the disadvantages to which the right hon. Member for Llanelly drew attention in 1946.