§ Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallettasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the principle of abatement is to be applied indifferently and uniformly to all pensions paid out of public funds, including those borne in whole, or in part, on the rates;
(2) to what extent it is intended to apply the principle of abatement to the graduated element in the pensions of those who contract in to the new National Insurance Scheme.
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§ Mr. Selwyn LloydThose in all public employments, including those referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, were informed that, in accordance with longstanding Government policy in this regard, the general principle of abatement must be extended to include the National Insurance graduated scheme if they decided to participate in that scheme rather than to contract out of it. In the former event, the graduated pension will be payable but the occupational schemes will be scaled down correspondingly.