§ Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will make a statement about the possibility of relaxing, the earnings rules for retirement and widow pensioners and for widowed mothers.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonYes. In accordance with Section 77 of the National Insurance Act, 1946, I have submitted to the National Insurance Advisory Committee for consideration172W and report draft regulations which would increase the amounts which a pensioner can earn in any week without reduction of pension. The regulations would raise these amounts from £3 10s. to £4 5s. in the case of widow pensioners and of those retirement pensioners to whom the rule applies, and from £5 to £6 in the case of widowed mothers. The draft regulations will be available tomorrow. If the Advisory Committee approves them they cannot however operate until they have been approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.