§ Mr. Hordernasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will allow those men who reached the age of 65 years before 6th April and whose pension contributions were, on average, less than 50, to receive their pensions on a pro rata basis, on precisely the same terms as those men who reach the age of 65 years after 6th April.
§ Mr. O'MalleyThe contribution conditions under which pensions are currently awarded reflect the new contribution arrangements introduced on 6th April 1975 and apply to people who reached pension age on or after that date. I am satisfied that in all the circumstances this is the appropriate dividing line and that we should not seek to vary—retrospectively—the contribution conditions under which awards have been made in the case
England Wales Year ended 31st March 1973 Year ended 31st March 1974 Year ended 31st March 1973 Year ended 31st March 1974 Installation and attachments … 17,470 22,922 1,057 1,525 Rental … 12,105 28,808 668 1,335 Cost of installation and rental … £781,428 £1,491,000 £50,414 £121,000 I regret that comparable information for 1974–75 is not yet available.