HC Deb 03 March 1969 vol 779 cc28-9
35. Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to ease the earnings rule under which, if the wife of a disabled man earns more than £2 16s. a week, her husband's National Insurance benefit is reduced by £2 16s.

Mr. Ennals

This is one of the detailed matters arising from the proposals in the White Paper, "National Superannuation and Social Insurance", Command 3883, that we are still examining.

Mr. Farr

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I gave him a very sad example of this the other day? Does he not agree that this is a rough and ready method of calculation, which should be abandoned, so that these unfortunate wives have a chance to earn a little more for their husbands?

Mr. Ennals

Under the present situation it would not be wise to totally remove the earnings rule. It would be unfair and uneconomical to pay to a married man, on his contributions, a substantial increase for a wife who was financially self-supporting. This is a matter being carefully considered in the light of the White Paper and the hon. Gentleman may care to try and catch Mr. Speaker's eye when the debate comes on.

Mr. Dean

Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this point will be dealt with in the next White Paper? Does he not agree that it is a very bad example of discouraging wives who are struggling to help their disabled husbands?

Mr. Ennals

This is a matter for debate. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that this is being looked at very carefully in preparing the new scheme.