§ 6. Mr. Tileyasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why the plans for half-pay on retirement and a minimum income guarantee have now been postponed.
§ Miss HerbisonI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bromley (Mr. Hunt) on 22nd November, and to the statement which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made to the House on 27th July last.
§ Mr. TileyIn view of the fact that I do not know what that Answer was, may I ask the right hon. Lady whether it would not be fairer to make a statement about the delay, because during the General Election the whole country was advised that these two schemes were costed and ready to be implemented? More than that, in view of the fact that a year ago, when hon. Members opposite filibustered the Private Member's Bill of my hon. Friend the Member for Abingdon (Mr. Neave)—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. This supplementary question is getting too long.
§ Miss HerbisonWhat a pity it is that if the hon. Member is so interested in these matters he did not look up the reply which was given on the very same question and that he did not read my right hon. Friend's statement. As to the previous Bill, nothing that has been said by anyone on his own Front Bench shows that they will be giving help indiscriminately to people in the future.
§ Mr. ManuelIn connection with the provision of a State pension for civilian disabled persons, would not my right hon. Friend agree that a first step which would afford relief would be if she could remove the charges on surgical boots, stockings and other items?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That is a supplementary question on the earlier Question.