HC Deb 27 May 1954 vol 528 cc600-1
34. Mr. Gower

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the approximate date upon which he anticipates that he will receive the report of the committee under the chairmanship of Sir Thomas Phillips which is reviewing the economic and financial problems involved in making provision for old age.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)

No, Sir. I am afraid I have no information about when this Committee is likely to report.

Mr. Gower

Did my right hon. Friend note that the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance recently promised that he would do everything possible to expedite the completion of the Quinquennial Review, and will my right hon. Friend similarly do all in his power to expedite the completion of the findings of this Committee which are so important to old-age pensioners and other elderly people?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The Committee is well aware of the fact that the sooner it can report the better.

Mr. Gaitskell

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if he expects the report at least before the end of the year?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I would rather not speculate about precise dates.

Mr. T. Brown

In view of the answer of the Financial Secretary, may I ask if he will endeavour to implement the promise made only this week by the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance that he proposed at an early date to bring the pensions value to the 1946 basis?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

That is, of course, another question.