§ Mrs. MacDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take 252W steps to ensure that retirement pensions in Scotland have the equivalent purchasing power to those elsewhere in the United Kingdom, in view of the fact that living costs are higher in Scotland, and having due regard to climatic factors.
§ Mr. DeanNo. The National Insurance Scheme is a contributory one and people in all parts of the country pay the same rates of contributions to qualify for the same rates of benefit.