§ Mr. Hopkinasked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to say that ministers of religion will definitely be included in a scheme of contributory pensions; whether he can state the figure at which the income limit will be fixed; and if an age limit has been decided upon?
Mr. HudsonAs regards the first part of the question, ministers of religion, in common with other persons who are not insurable under the existing scheme, will, as my right hon. Friend informed a recent deputation from the Church of England and the Evangelical Free Churches, be eligible for admission to the new scheme of voluntary insurance for pensions: as regards the second and third parts, I cannot furnish details of the scheme in advance of the presentation of the necessary Bill.