HC Deb 15 March 1965 vol 708 cc880-1
47. Lord Balniel

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will now introduce the income guarantee scheme.

Miss Herbison

I cannot yet indicate how soon the Government's proposals are likely to be ready. Work on the income guarantee is proceeding as quickly as possible.

Lord Balniel

Does the right hon. Lady realise that her personal failure to implement this pledge is one of the scandals of the present Administration? Does she not recollect that as far back as 1963 she herself said that this scheme had been subjected to the most detailed and rigorous technical, financial and actuarial advice and the Prime Minister himself said that it would be introduced without delay? Can the right hon. Lady say whether legislation has even been drafted at present?

Miss Herbison

It is interesting to hear of the feelings of the noble Lord. [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer."] Yes, I shall answer in my own way. The noble Lord's Government were in power for 13 years and in this matter of covering people who should be covered by an income guarantee nothing at all was done. We have been in power for five months. [HON. MEMBERS: "Too long."] In two weeks' time the retirement pensioners will receive the biggest increase that they have had since 1946. Those drawing National Assistance will also have the biggest increase ever given. I can assure the noble Lord that things are going on very quickly. I do not accept that it is a scandal that in five months I have not been able to do what his Government could not do in 13 years.

Mr. Monslow

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the work which she has done and the energy which she has applied to her Department will cause millions of our people to rejoice at the end of the month?

Mr. Ridsdale

Is the right hon. Lady aware that many hon. Members opposite said that when this national incomes scheme was introduced it would be introduced without a means test? Is that still her policy? What is to be the cost of the scheme? The present Government were in opposition for 13 years and that surely should have been enough time to work out the cost.

Miss Herbison

The hon. Member will have no difficulty in finding out what we said about the scheme if he reads "New Frontiers for Social Security" where it was made perfectly clear that it would be a minimum income guarantee.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate the most unusual compliment she has just received from the hon. Member for Hertford (Lord Balniel), who thinks that it is a personal scandal that she has not been able to do in five months what he and his right hon. and hon. Friends neglected to do in 13 years?