§ 44. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he has studied the letter, dated 20th June, from Rosemount Old Age Pensioners, Aberdeen, protesting against the present level of pensions; and what reply he has sent.
§ The Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. Niall Macpherson)Yes, Sir, and I have written to the hon. and learned Member about it.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that his letter of reply is a confession of failure because it misses the point made by the Rosemount old age pensioners, to whom it purports to reply, and leaves untouched the present invidious policy which presses painfully on some old pensioners but not on others? Will not the right hon. Gentleman substitute a system which will be fair and just to all, as the Rosemount pensioners require?
§ Mr. MacphersonI will willingly read the letters again, but I think the main point the hon. and learned Member was making really related to the question of a special allowance for fuel, which, of course, is an intermittent one. It goes on in the winter and off in the summer. I think that was the point of the letter and that it has been completely met.