§ 96. Mrs. McLaughlinasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, what is his estimate of the annual cost of raising the retirement pension by 4s., 6s. or 15s. per week.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAbout 51, £76 or £190 million a year respectively, assuming proportionate increases in the pensions of wives payable on their husbands' insurance. If corresponding increases were also made in the rates of other National Insurance benefits the present costs would be approximately £80, £120 or £300 million a year respectively.
These costs would increase in future years.
§ Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is his estimate of the annual cost of an increase of 5s., 6s., and 10s., respectively, in all retirement pensions.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAbout £63, £76 or £127 million a year respectively, assuming proportionate increases in the pensions of wives payable on their husbands' insurance. If corresponding increases were also made in the rates of other National Insurance benefits the present costs would be approximately £100, £120 or £200 million a year respectively.
These costs would increase in future years.