HC Deb 03 February 1958 vol 581 c804
42. Mr. Mathew

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance for what reason late age entrants to retirement pensions terminate their contributions at different dates so that total contributions are greater in some cases than others.

The Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)

All late age entrants into insurance are credited with a certain number of contributions, but the number varies because of arrangements made in 1948 to divide all contributors into four groups to facilitate the working of the new scheme and to save staff.

Mr. Mathew

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is very widespread resentment among the pensioners concerned about these contributions? Does his answer mean that all these pensioners are dealt with equitably, except that some are dealt with more equitably than others?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

There is a great deal in the concluding words of my hon. Friend, but, as my Answer made clear, this is done under arrangements made a good many years ago, on the basis of which the pensioners concerned have made options to continue in insurance, and whatever may be said about what might have been done years ago, it is clearly too late now to alter that basis.