§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what proposals she has to relieve the position of many aged persons who through no fault of their own are pensionless.
§ Miss HerbisonIt would hardly be possible to provide a pension through National Insurance for people who have not paid the necessary contributions. The House will, however, shortly be asked to approve proposals for a substantial improvement in the provision made through National Assistance for such people, and the Government are actively studying the best way of putting into effect their plans for giving additional assistance to persons of retirement age whose incomes are small, including both pensioners and non-pensioners.