HC Deb 29 January 1970 vol 794 cc1700-1
14. Mr. Costain

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is her estimate of the number of retired persons between the age of 60 and 65 years who are registered for employment and are drawing private pensions of over £25 per week.

Mr. Dell

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Security, on 15th December, 1969.—[Vol. 793, c. 934.]

Mr. Costain

I am aware of that statement, but does the Minister appreciate that in areas like Folkestone, with a higher than normal number of elderly people retiring, there is a danger that the unemployment figures may get distorted? We must remember that the figures are very bad at the moment. May we have an assurance that these figures will not be fudged so as to hide the number of people involved in this category of unemployment?

Mr. Dell

I do not understand the hon. Gentleman's question. There is no question of fudging the figures. The statement to which I referred was a statement by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Security in regard to the policy of the provision of unemployment benefit to occupational pensioners. That Department is responsible for that policy.