§ 51. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, having regard to increased living costs arising from larger National Insurance contributions, whether he will advance the proposed maximum earnings rule of £7 10s. weekly per adult male to £10, and proportionately for women, in order to promote productivity and help the elderly.
§ Mr. EnnalsNo, Sir. The decisive factor here is what level of earnings is wholly compatible with retirement. We consider £7 10s. is the right point at which the earnings rule should start to operate.
§ Sir G. NabarroI suggest that that is the wrong figure. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, having regard to the remorseless and unremitting increase in the cost of living and the approximate increase at the same rate in the wages of the community, it would not be unreasonable, when pensions go up, to set the earnings rule figure at £10, not £7 10s.? Will he recognise this matter, in the interests of productivity, in attracting back to sedentary jobs more elderly people?
§ Mr. EnnalsI do not agree with the hon. Gentleman. The figure is being increased in the Bill at present before the House. It means that an employed married pensioner and his wife would be able to receive as much as £15 12s. before the rule takes effect. When I hear the hon. Gentleman making a great deal of fuss, he might be interested to know that this provision affects only 16,000 pensioners in the country.