§ Mr. Freesonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will make arrangements in order that the increases in the retirement pension, widow's pension, war pensions and industrial injuries benefits announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 11th November may be brought forward before Christmas by an instruction that the present pension books have been increased in value from, say, Friday, 11th December.
§ Miss HerbisonNo. This would not be practicable.
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many days will elapse between the recent announcement of increased retirement pensions arid the first payment at the new rate; and how this compares with similar increases since 1945.
92W
§ Miss HerbisonOne hundred and thirty-eight. The figures for the similar operations are: 1951—146 for pensioners 5 years or more over pensionable age and 174 for the remainder; 1952—174; 1954–5—145; 1957–8—82; 1960–1—152; 1963—124. These figures are not comparable since the first public announcement of new rates does not always come at the same stage of the overall programme.