§ Lieut.-Commander Joynson-Hicksasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider, in view of the increase in the cost of living and for the encouragement of work, increasing the earnings allowed to old-age pensioners before reduction of their pension from £26 10s. per annum to £52 per annum.
§ Sir J. AndersonThe statutory provision that requires an old age pension to be reduced where the earnings of the pensioner exceed £26 5s., or, if the pensioner is one of a married couple, where the joint earnings exceed £52 10s., applies only to non-contributory old age pensions awarded to persons of 70 years of age and upwards who are not insured for contributory pensions. The position has been reviewed from time to time during the war in the light of the considerations mentioned by my hon. Friend, the last occasion being when the Bill for the Pensions and Determination of Needs Act, 1943, was being framed. It was then decided to propose no change, and further legislation dealing with old age pensions is not proposed pending the introduction of the Government's scheme of national insurance.