§ Mr. Blakerasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will ensure that, in the course of its review of the earnings rule, the National Insurance Advisory Committee will examine the effect of the rule on pensioners who can only obtain seasonal employment.
§ Miss HerbisonThe Committee's terms of reference are to review the present level of the earnings limit for retirement pensioners and to examine matters arising therefrom. They are intended to be wide enough to enable the Committee to consider the application of the limit in all its aspects and to make proposals for its modification which are not inconsistent with the maintenance of the retirement condition on which the benefit is founded. I have no doubt that the Committee will have their attention drawn to the aspect of the rule to which the hon. Member refers.