§ Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost of raising the amount which a retired pensioner can earn in a week without reduction of pension, from the present level of£3, by 10s., by£1, by£1 10s., by£2, by£2 10s., and by£3, respectively.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI regret that information is not available on which to base calculations for all the steps suggested but it is estimated that the direct 257W cost of raising this earnings limit by 10s. above the present level would be of the order of£½ million a year.
§ Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost of raising the amount which a widowed mother can earn in a week without reduction of pension, from the present level of£4, by£1, by£1 10s., by£2, by£2 10s., and by£3, respectively.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI regret that information is not available on which to base calculations for all the steps suggested, but it is estimated that the direct cast of raising this earnings limit by£1 above the present level would be of the order of£½ million a year.