§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will take steps to abolish the earnings rule for the considerable volume of married women who have been deserted by their husbands.
§ Miss HerbisonThe earnings rule only applies to such women if they are between the ages of 60 and 65 and are drawing retirement pensions. The conditions are the same for all retirement pensioners and I do not think I could attempt to draw distinctions.