§ 40. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will extend the number of hours for which a person who has reached normal retiring age may work and still be deemed to have retired, to more than twelve hours per week.
§ Mr. PeakeNo. I have no power to vary the statutory provisions governing title to retirement pension but I would point out that the rule referred to is only one of the criteria used by the National Insurance Commissioner in interpreting these provisions.
§ 56. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the cost of increasing old-age pensions by 10s. per week.
§ Mr. PeakeThe cost to the National Insurance Fund of increasing all retirement pensions by 10s. a week would be about £115 million a year immediately, rising to nearly £200 million a year in 25 years' time.
§ 57. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will introduce the necessary legislation for the purpose of granting to all old-age pensioners a 15s. per week rent allowance, in addition to their old-age pension.
§ 67. Mr. D. Howellasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if, in view of the Government's proposal to increase the pensions of retired public servants, he will now take steps to increase the old-age pension.
§ Mr. PeakeThe Government's announced intention to improve the position of retired members of the public service affords no ground for increasing National Insurance pensions which have been substantially increased since the last Pensions Increase Act.