HC Deb 10 May 1956 vol 552 cc1401-2
24 Mr. du Cann

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now abolish the retirement pensioners' tobacco token scheme, and increase the basic pensions for smokers and non-smokers alike by 2s. 6d. per week.

Mr. H. Brooke

The tobacco token scheme is intended solely to meet the special circumstances arising out of the heavy increase in tobacco duty in 1947. The question of an increase in pensions is a separate matter, and primarily for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance.

Mr. du Cann

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply—[Laughter.]—may I draw his attention to the fact that in his speech yesterday he said that this tobacco token scheme was far from being fair? Will he not agree that it is time to reform it? Is he not further aware that were there a reform, it would be welcomed not only by all the old people and by hon. Members on both sides of this House, but by the country as a whole?

Mr. Brooke

I made reference to the matter in my speech yesterday, and I have nothing to add.

Mr. Jay

While thanking the Financial Secretary for nothing at all, may I ask. in view of the attack that he made yesterday on the whole of this scheme, whether the Government are now seriously considering substituting a higher cash payment for the tokens which he condemns?

Mr. Brooke

What I did yesterday was to point out the weaknesses of this scheme which was devised originally by the Labour Party.

Dame Irene Ward

May I ask my right hon. Friend when the Treasury proposes to look at these injustices to the small fixed income groups and do something about them? The small fixed income groups are getting jolly annoyed—and so they should.