HC Deb 26 November 1963 vol 685 cc72-3
Q5. Mr. Lipton

asked the Prime Minister if he will now make a statement on pensions and allowances as promised by the then Prime Minister on 1st August last.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will make a statement as soon as he is able to do so.

Mr. Lipton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that although the Prime Minister wrote to me on 9th November that he was giving the matter his urgent attention and the letter was signed "Yours ever, Alec"—he must have mistaken me for somebody else—the statement is very much overdue? It was promised to be made not later than 1st October. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, for example, that widows in receipt of 10s. and who are victimised by the earnings rule are anxiously awaiting a pronouncement at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir, my right hon. Friend is fully aware of the importance of this matter. He will make a statement when he is ready to do so and I will draw his attention to the intimacy of the hon. Member's intervention.

Dame Irene Ward

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Prime Minister has an assignation with me to discuss this whole matter before any statement is made? Will he, therefore, refrain from giving undertakings to hon. Members opposite until I have had my interview?

Mr. Butler

I hesitate to enter into all the Prime Minister's more intimate assignations, but I will draw his attention to my hon. Friend's statement. I am aware, from having studied this matter before answering the Question, of the representations made by my hon. Friend.

Dame Irene Ward

But I have the Prime Minister's letter.

Mrs. Slater

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the issue of the statement is becoming much more important in view of the speeches by, for example, the hon. Member for Hertford (Lord Balniel), and the information given in the Press last week that the Cabinet is considering a complete change in basic pensions and that the public want to have this statement long before the next General Election?

Mr. Butler

My right hon. Friend realises the urgency of the matter and will make a statement when he is ready to do so.