§ Sir W. Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost of giving non-contributory pensions to those old people who were over 70 in 1961 and who never contributed to the 1948 Insurance Scheme on a sliding scale, namely £3 7s. 6d. to those with incomes under £250, £2 17s. 6d. to those with incomes over £250 but less than £500, £2 7s. 6d. to those with incomes of £500 but less than £750, and £1 17s. 6d. to those with incomes of over £750 but less than £1,000.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonI regret that the information available does not enable me to say what the cost would be. There would of course be some resulting saving on National Assistance, but my hon. and 185W gallant Friend's proposals would not eliminate the need for National Assistance in all cases.