§ Sir J. Edenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total number of public service pensioners who retired prior to 1st April, 1957; what will be the total cost of the increased benefits they will receive under the proposed Pensions (Increase) Bill; and what would be the cost of bringing all who retired before 1956 up to the proposed new rates for 1956.
§ Mr. MacDermot420,000; £16½ million; £11 million. The figure of 420,000 relates to those retired before 31st December, 1956, since those who retired between that date and 1st April, 1957, would gain nothing from being put on to 1956 rates.