§ Mr. Bonham Carterasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost, in 1959 and 1960, respectively, of increasing the retirement pension to 60s. in the case of the single pensioner and to 91s. in the case of the retired couple.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe cost would be £114 million in the financial year 1959–60 and £116 million in 1960–61. The cost would rise to £164 million in 1981–82. If other National Insurance80W benefits were increased correspondingly, the total cost would be £154 million in 1959–60 and £157 million in 1960–61, rising to £209 million in 1981–82.