§ 57. Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what recent approaches he has had, especially since 9th June, 1964, for the abolition of the rule which limits the earnings of pensioners; what was the nature of his reply; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WoodI receive various representations from time to time asking for the total abolition of the earnings rules. My replies explain that benefit adjustments if there are earnings are an essential part of an insurance scheme designed to pay benefit in the absence of earnings, and that most of the very large cost of abolishing the rules would be spent on providing benefit to people in full-time work. I have no further statement to make.