§ 12. Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he plans to introduce a civilian disability pension for the civilian handicapped.
§ Mr. SwinglerI must ask the hon. Member to await the publication of the Government's White Paper on the future development of social insurance.
§ Mr. BakerWould not the Minister agree that such research as exists—I have in mind surveys in West Middlesex—indicates that financial need usually, though not always, goes with physical handicap, and should not a civilian disability pension be the first priority of the new Ministry?
§ Mr. SwinglerI cannot accept that it should necessarily be the first priority, but we recognise that there is a problem here. It is being considered seriously, but I cannot say anything in advance of the publication of the White Paper.
§ Mr. TinnIn preparing the White Paper will my hon. Friend bear in mind the problem of the disabled housewife and take steps to ensure that husbands are not forced to give up work—thereby depriving the community of the results of their work—because of the necessity of being at home to look after the children, do the shopping, and so on?
§ Mr. SwinglerWhen I answered the previous supplementary question I had in mind particularly the problems of the severely disabled housewife.
§ Lord BalnielThe hon. Gentleman must know his intention to introduce a civilian disability pension. Why cannot he say so now? Does he accept as a principle that all forms of disability—whether caused by industrial injury or civilian disability—should be treated alike for insurance purposes?
§ Mr. SwinglerThe answer is that the Government have promised to recast the social security system, and the results of their considerations will be published in a White Paper. It would be far better for hon. Members to judge the merits of the proposals at that time.