HC Deb 23 November 1964 vol 702 cc134-5W
87. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether the Government's proposed increases in retirement pensions will be on a general flat-rate increase basis applicable to all irrespective of the rate of their present pension; and whether she will make arrangements for the office of payment to overstamp the additional payment as from the next date of payment and receipt of these pensions.

Miss Herbison

I have nothing to add at this stage to the statement which I made in the House on 20th November.

88. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether, as a means of paying the proposed increases in retirement pensions earlier than next March, she will arrange with the Post Office to circulate to all post-masters a detailed list of what the various increases will be on existing pensions and ask them to pay the additional amounts by overstamping pensions books or by postal orders until such time as existing pension books can be amended.

Miss Herbison

No. There are about 200 diffrent rates of retirement pension and it is not possible to determine from the pension rate in payment in particular cases what the increased rate should be.

90. Mr. W. T. Williams

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will make a statement setting out the difficulties of administration and otherwise of providing increased retirement pensions earlier than 29th March, 1965.

Miss Herbison

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the debate on the Second Reading of the National Insurance &c. Bill on Wednesday.

RATES OF RETIREMENT PENSION PAYABLE FOR A SINGLE PERSON AND THE INCREASE FOR A DEPENDENT WIFE AT SUCCESSIVE DATES, WITH IN EACH CASE THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS RATE
Date Single person Increase for dependent wife
Rate Percentage increase over previous amount Amount Percentage increase over previous amount
£ s. d. £ s. d.
5th July, 1948 1 6 0 — 16 0 —
1st October, 1951 1 10 0 15½ 1 0 0 25
29th September, 1952 1 12 6 8½ 1 1 6 7½
25th April, 1955 2 0 0 23 1 5 0 16½
27th January, 1958 2 10 0 25 1 10 0 20
3rd April, 1961 2 17 6 15 1 15 0 16½
27th May, 1963 3 7 6 17½ 2 1 6 18½
November, 1964 (Bill rate) 4 0 0 18½ 2 10 0 20½

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