§ 106. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that on retirement at 70 years of age, Mr. George T. Millgate, Pension No. 43566674, was held to have made only 225 contributions since the age of 65; that this number was progressively admitted to be 248 contributions and, being two below the necessary 250 contributions, was held to deprive Mr. and Mrs. Millgate of 2s. 6d. per week in pension entitlement; and, in view of Mr. Millgate's contributions over 30 years and the fact that since the age of 65 he has been credited with 12 contributions for sickness, in addition to the 248 contributions paid, why the maximum retirement pension is not to be paid to him.
§ Miss PittThis gentleman is entitled to nine of the ten increments to retirement pension which can be earned by a man between the ages of 65 and 70. On reaching 70 he had 247 contributions paid since age 65, and one further contribution which was due was paid in arrear by a former employer. It is the normal practice to confirm to a pensioner the number of his contributions which is sufficient to qualify him for the increments to which he is entitled, in this case 225. Credits recorded during sickness do not for obvious reasons count for increments. The pension awarded to Mr. Millgate is therefore correctly assessed.