HC Deb 20 June 1960 vol 625 cc8-9
10. Mr. Manuel

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state, as a percentage of average weekly earnings, the sickness benefit payable to an adult female worker at April, 1958, 1959, and 1960, respectively.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

38.1 and 36.5 per cent. Information about earnings in April, 1960, is not yet available.

Mr. Manuel

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that When the 1960 figures are available they will reveal that there is now quite a substantial case for an increase, since those people have a much lower standard of living than when fully employed? If there is any tendency for the percentage to decrease, in relation to real wages, I think the Minister ought to consider increasing the sickness benefit.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Even the lower figure I gave, 36.5 per cent., does not compare badly with the comparable figure for October, 1951, which is 28.9 per cent.

Mr. Manuel

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that that is not the real year for comparison? The last increase was in 1958, and I think he should bring his mind from that point up to today and not go back to 1951, which is unreal as a comparison with present-day conditions.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

If the hon. Gentleman wishes to contest the adequacy of the benefits by arguing over these percentage figures in relation to earnings, he must be prepared to face the whole picture and not a couple of carefully selected years.