§ Mr. Leachasked the Minister of National Insurance what extra contribution would be required to cover the cost of reducing 1565W the pension age of unmarried women from 6o to 55 years of age if levied on all insured persons.
§ Sir W. JowittI presume the Question relates to the scheme outlined in the White Paper on Social Insurance, Part I (Cmd. 6550). I do not feel justified in asking the Government Actuary to undertake the calculations necessary for a close estimate, but I am advised that this extra contribution might be in the neighbourhood of 2d. a week, together with a substantial increase in the cost to the Exchequer. I ought to point out also that a proposal to impose a contribution for this purpose on all insured persons would scarcely be consistent with the principles on which the scheme proposes to distribute the contribution charge.