§ 88. Mr. Pounderasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what plans she has for the provision of a State retirement pension to those persons who retired prior to the introduction of compulsory National Insurance contributions.
§ Miss HerbisonMany people who were insured under the Contributory Pensions Acts which preceded the compulsory National Insurance scheme introduced in July, 1948, are in fact qualified for retirement pensions. As for those who do not receive a contributory insurance pension because they were already over minimum pensionable age and were not insured when the new scheme began, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to the hon. Members for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. David Steel) and for Barry (Mr. Gower) on 22nd November.
§ Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the value of the pension in real terms as at the latest date, compared with May, 1963, after the increase in pensions had been made.
§ Mr. PentlandAt current prices the present retirement pension rates of 80s. (single) and 130s. (for a couple) are worth 6s. 6d. and 11s. 4d. more, respectively, than the 67s. 6d. and 109s. rates introduced in May, 1963.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance by how much the State retirement pension has fallen in real terms since the introduction of the new rate.
§ Mr. PentlandTo restore retirement pensions to their March, 1965, values would require additions of 2s. 4d. for a single person and 3s. 9d. for a married couple.