§ 117. Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many individuals have been excused from paying insurance contributions owing to low incomes; and what provision she is making to provide for them on their retirement.
§ Miss HerbisonAt present about 170,000 insured persons hold certificates of exception from liability to pay contributions because of small incomes, about 115,000 of them being non-employed women. Most of these are single women living at home and looking after relatives or are invalids maintained by relatives, but they also include members of religious communities. Some people hold these certificates only for short periods and will not in consequence suffer any substantial reduction in retirement pension. But at present, whatever the insurance position may be on retirement, supplementary pensions can be paid by the National Assistance Board in any case of need. As the hon. Lady will appreciate, this is one of the matters to which attention will be given in the Government's review.