§ 1. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state what, and how many, representations he has recently received from old-age pensioners and their organisations about a rise in pension scales.
§ The Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. Osbert Peake)The Joint Parliamentary Secretary met a deputation from the National Federation of Old-Age Pensions Associations on 8th November when they put their case for an immediate improvement in the position of retirement pensioners. Since then I have received some 200 communications from individual pensioners, mostly in uniform terms, making similar demands.
§ Mr. HughesIn view of the large number of representations that have been made, when does the Minister intend to improve the conditions of the old-age pensioners, particularly having regard to the invidious way in which the old-age pensioners are treated as contrasted with Forces and other pensioners, who may earn as much as they like on retirement, whereas the old-age pensioners must not?
§ Mr. PeakeThe hon. and learned Gentleman had better await the reply to later questions upon this point. His Question was concerned only with the number of the representations I have received, and I have given him a full answer to that point.
§ 12. Miss Burtonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what reply has been sent to the National Federation of Old-Age Pensions Associations concerning the points put to him by the recent delegation from the Federation.
§ 11. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will accede to the request of the National Federation of Old-Age Pensions, forwarded to Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer on 9th November, for immediate improvement in the rate of retirement pensions.
§ Mr. PeakeI cannot add to the replies given to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis) and other hon. Members on 14th November.
§ Miss BurtonWhile not recalling those replies—
§ Miss BurtonI expect that they were in the negative. Is the Minister aware that the cost of living has reached an all-time high record and that the cost of food and fuel has now, in addition, made the position worse for old-age pensioners? When does he propose to send an answer to the associations?
§ Mr. PeakeThe question is concerned with the National Insurance pension, and I remind the House that an increase of 7s. 6d. a week, single, and 11 s. a week, married, came into operation as recently as 23rd April and that since then the cost of living has moved by only about 2½ per cent.
§ Miss BurtonIs the Minister aware that those most in need received 2s. 6d. and 4s.? His reply is a complete evasion. What will he do about those people?
§ Mr. PeakeThere are later Questions about National Assistance; I would rather give my answer when we come to those Questions.
§ 32. Mr. W. T. Williamsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will make a statement on the representations made to him during the week ended 19th November by the Welsh, English and Scottish Federations of Old-Age Pensions in respect of retirement pensions increase.
§ Mr. PeakeNo such representations have been received since a deputation met the Joint Parliamentary Secretary on 8th November, and I cannot add to the replies on this subject that I gave on 14th November.
Mr. R. WilliamsBy that, does the Minister mean that the Government have made up their mind that in present circumstances they will not do anything further to help old-age pensioners?
§ Mr. PeakeThere are, of course, no such bodies as Welsh, English and Scottish federations. There is one federation. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary saw the federation and told it that as recently as 23rd April very substantial increases in retirement pensions have been made.