§ 68. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will make a statement, following consideration of the correspondence sent to him by the hon. Member for Dartford, giving details of the hardships now being experienced by many old age pensioners, indicating that the present scales are insufficient; and what action is contemplated to meet the urgency of the present situation.
§ Mr. PeakeI have not yet completed inquiries into the seven cases covered by the correspondence which I received from the hon. Member last Wednesday. As soon as I have done so, I will write to him.
§ 73. Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what a 5s. per week increase on the basic pensions to all old age pensioners would cost.
§ Mr. PeakeAn increase of 5s. a week in retirement pensions and contributory old age pensions would cost an extra£56 million a year now, rising to double that amount in 25 years' time.