§ 45. Mrs. Thatcherasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance when she will make a statement giving details of the promised increases in National Insurance and associated benefits.
§ 50. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance when she expects to bring forward proposals for the increase of all National Insurance benefits.
§ Miss HerbisonVery soon.
§ 46. Mrs. Thatcherasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what tests she will use to adjudge the adequacy of retirement pensions and other National Insurance benefits.
§ Miss HerbisonI must ask the hon. Lady to await our proposals and the publication of the documents which will be laid before Parliament.
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§ 51. Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will take steps to effect an increase in the basic retirement pensions rate before Christmas.
§ Miss HerbisonAs announced in the Gracious Speech, we shall introduce early legislation to increase existing rates of National Insurance and associated benefits. For details of our proposals, I must ask the hon. Members to await a statement which will be made soon.
§ 52. Lady Tweedsmuirasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will introduce higher pension benefits for those over 70 years of age.
§ Miss HerbisonI see no reason to differentiate between pensioners over and under 70.
§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if, in view of the inadequacy of retirement pensions, she will effect substantial increases before Christmas; and if she will make a statement.
§ Miss HerbisonI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. Chichester-Clark).