HC Deb 22 May 1958 vol 588 cc1495-6
45. Mr. Prentice

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in the Government's study of the problems of providing for old age; and when some positive proposals may be expected.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I have been asked to reply. The hon. Member will be aware that retirement pension rates under the National Insurance scheme were recently raised to a higher level in real terms than ever before. The Government are continuing to give close attention to the wider problems of provision for old age, and the hon. Member may have noticed the valuable report on occupational pension schemes, which was published on 13th May.

Mr. Prentice

Concerning the wider problems of old age, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is now twelve months since the Labour Party produced its scheme for national superannuation? With all the research facilities at the disposal of the Government, is not it time that they produced a few ideas of their own, even if they will not be in office long enough to carry them out?

Mr. Butler

I am glad that the hon. Member should remind me of the scheme of the party opposite, which otherwise we might have tended to forget. The position about the researches which the Government are making is that we are taking every possible step to see that we obtain all the necessary information before proceeding further along this desirable course.

Mr. J. Griffiths

May we take it, therefore, that promises made some time ago that the Government would produce a scheme of national superannuation of some kind are not now to be kept?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir. The right hon. Gentleman has no reason to assume any such assumption.

Mr. Short

In view of the fact that the cost of living has just gone up two points, can we expect an early review of retirement pensions and other National Insurance benefits?

Mr. Butler

I cannot add anything to the Answer I have given already.