§ 89. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what consultations he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect of the first week's retirement pension paid to pensioners who, thenceforth, do not draw their pension because their earnings are in excess of £5 10s. per week; and approximately what is the total amount yearly that is borne by the Treasury for that purpose.
§ Miss PittNone. It is a normal and necessary provision of the National Insurance Act that the first week's pension following retirement is paid without86W regard to the last week's earnings before retirement. I imagine that the hon. Member has in mind the situation arising from the treatment under the National Insurance Act, 1946, of the late age entrants as retired ten years after the start of the scheme, with the consequence that a week's pension was paid for the week beginning 7th July, 1958, without regard to the previous week's earnings. The ultimate cost of this to the National Insurance Fund cannot be accurately stated, but will be relatively small.