§ 37. Mrs. Braddockasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to what extent the extra amount of retirement pension earned by postponed retirement is disregarded for the purposes of granting National Assistance.
§ 41. Mr. Hubbardasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will agree to have the additional sums payable to old-age pensioners, in respect of the period they continued in gainful occupation after reaching retirement age, added to the disregards when their income is assessed for National Assistance.
§ Mr. PeakeIncrements of pension were not included in the list of disregards put into the National Assistance Act, 1948, and I am not prepared to introduce legislation to do so. One of the advantages of the increased pensions men can earn by continuing at work after 65 is the better prospect they offer of remaining independent of assistance.
§ Mrs. BraddockIn view of that answer, will the Minister also issue a leaflet through the local post offices to the effect that it is only in circumstances where a man can be positively certain that he will not have to apply for National Assistance that he is likely to get any benefit from working over the age of 65? In view of the very serious position which that creates, does not the Minister think that he ought to let people know what exactly is the situation in relation to the matter?
§ Mr. PeakeI do not think that there is much doubt in anybody's mind that the main purpose of the Beveridge Plan was to replace the necessity for recourse to assistance by the payment of insurance benefit as of right.
§ Mr. HubbardIs the Minister not aware that in 1948 old people were specifically asked to continue in industry owing to the shortage of manpower and that, as a consequence, they were to receive added increments? Many old people continued in industry for three or four years beyond the retirement age, and now when, because of the difference in the cost of living today, they make application for National Assistance they find—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] I am asking a question; I know that some hon. Members opposite do not like it. Many of these old-age pensioners responded to the call of the Government at that time, but every penny of the added increments is taken into account and deducted from their National Assistance payments. Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. This is becoming a rather long supplementary question, but hon. Members do not assist in getting a certain number of Questions answered in a certain time by interrupting. I hope that the hon. Member will now come to the point of his question.
§ Mr. HubbardIs not the Minister aware that the very large figures which he gave for 1954 will diminish when the pensioners realise that they will get no added benefit?
§ Mr. PeakeI cannot agree. One of the main purposes of the whole Beveridge Plan would be completely stultified if increments granted for deferred retirement were disregarded in calculating the National Assistance allowance.
§ Mr. HubbardIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will take the first opportunity to raise the matter on the Adjournment.