§ 25. Mr. Rossasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state the estimated aggregate increases of income to the National Insurance Fund for 1962–63 compared with 1950–51 in respect of flat rate contributions and graduated contributions, respectively.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterSome £413 million. There were, of course, no graduated contributions in 1950–51; the income from these contributions in 1962–63 is estimated to be about £174 million.
§ 35. Mr. Lawsonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will estimate the increased sums to be paid into the National Insurance Fund in 1962–63 in respect of employees, employers, and the Exchequer, respectively.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAbout £469 million in respect of insured persons, £478 million in respect of employers and £190 million in respect of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. LawsonThis is a ratio of about 8 to 1. Does it not suggest that the Treasury is wriggling out of its obligations in this matter? In view of the fact that retiral pensions take up more than 70 per cent. of the total amount paid in benefits and retiral pensions are not now on an insurance basis, will not the Minister consider greatly increasing the Exchequer contribution to these funds?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, Sir. If the hon. Member, who I know is interested in the figures, likes to look at them, he will see that the Exchequer contribution has gone up in all 82 per cent. since 1951–52, whereas the employee's own Class I contribution has gone up 80 per cent.