HC Deb 08 August 1966 vol 733 cc989-90
10. Mr. Dean

asked the Minister of Social Security when she now expects to receive the Report of the National Insurance Advisory Committee on the earnings rule for retirement pensioners.

Miss Herbison

As I told the hon. Gentleman last week, the Committee is treating this question as one of urgency. But it must be for it to decide when it can submit its Report after consideration of all the issues in the light of the representations and evidence it has received.

Mr. Dean

Does the right hon. Lady realise that that is a very disappointing reply, in view of the fact that she told the House last week that the Committee was sitting on no less than two days last week, presumably to get its Report out with speed? Would she give us two assurances—first, that when she gets the Report, it will be published in the usual way, and, second, that she will act speedily on it in view of the fact that it is well over two years since any change has been made in the earnings rule for retirement pensioners?

Miss Herbison

I can give a categorical assurance to the first question. When the Report comes, it will be published. But the hon. Member ought to know that the questions which are at present before the Committee present technical and very complicated problems. It is not only the level of earnings which it has been asked to examine. Action on the Report will be for the Government as a whole.