§ 63. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of National Insurance how much money is estimated to be spent per annum by his Department in ensuring that old age pensioners do not earn money without making deductions from their pensions; and how much it would cost in a year to enable pensioners to earn as much as they wished without making any deductions from pensions.
§ Mr. TurtonI regret that it is not possible to give the information asked for. But the cost of administering the earnings rule is trifling in comparison with the extra expense which payment of pensions without a retirement condition, of which the earnings rule is an integral part. would involve.
§ 64. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of National Insurance, in view of the fact that most items in the average budget of old age pensioners have risen during the past year, whether he will now increase the amount of these pensions to meet the increased cost of living.
§ Mr. TurtonNo. I do not think the basis on which the present pension rates were fixed has been affected by subsequent changes in the Retail Price Index.
§ Sir W. Smilesasked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that many old age pensioners are non-smokers and derive no benefit from tobacco concessions; and if he will consider giving cash in lieu of tobacco coupons to those old age pensioners who have conscientious objections to the use of tobacco.
§ Mr. TurtonNo. My right hon. Friend has no power to make a payment of this kind.