§ 80. Mr. Jayasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what provision of the National Insurance Act, 1946, precludes him from taking immediate steps to raise the retirement pension in advance of the completion of the quinquennial review of rates of benefit.
§ Mr. PeakeI have never suggested that the provisions of the National Insurance Act could not be amended by fresh legislation. But with the best will in the world towards pensioners, and a full appreciation of their difficulties, any suggestion which seriously increases the cost of retirement pension must of necessity be weighed with the utmost care against the cost to the contributor and to the taxpayer both present and future.
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§ 83. Mr. T. Brownasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will consider the payment of a Christmas bonus to all old-age pensioners in receipt of pension, on the second pension pay day in December, 1954.
§ Mr. PeakeI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Esher (Mr. Robson Brown) on Wednesday last.
§ 88. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he is aware that retired pensioners who accept employment with the Post Office for a limited period at Christmas are refused their pension for that period; and whether he will grant a special concession for this period only to enable the pensioners to increase their Christmas income.
§ 89. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of retired pensioners in Wales; the number who are in receipt of National Assistance; and the comparable figures for 1951, 1952 and 1953.
§ Mr. PeakeThe following table gives the information:
RETIREMENT PENSIONERS IN WALES (Thousands) Date Number of retirement pensioners Number of regular weekly grants of National Assistance paid to retirement pensioners December, 1951 220 57 December, 1952 225 62 December, 1953 230 66 September, 1954 235 69 NOTE.—Some of the National Assistance grants covered the needs of a household containing more than one retirement pensioner.
§ Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will now announce his time-table for the increase of retirement pensions; and how long he allows for the passing of legislation to implement his proposals.