HC Deb 13 March 1967 vol 743 cc2-3W
18. Mr. Pardoe

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will instruct her local officers to suggest to people whose actual income is below the minimum scale laid down by the Act, but where assumed income from capital is above it, to seek professional advice as to how they can increase their investment income.

Miss Herbison

Where capital is substantial the assumed income is higher than the normal actual income, because it seems right that above a certain point capital should be drawn upon to some extent before supplementary benefit becomes payable. But I see the point of the hon. Gentleman's proposal, and I will ask the Supplementary Benefits Commission to consider ways of helping claimants on the lines suggested.

Mr. Peter Mahon

asked the Minister of Social Security how many retirement pensioners are now in receipt of supplementary pensions under the new regulations.

Mr. Pentland

About 1,600,000, some of which include the requirements of more than one pensioner (mainly married couples).

Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Social Security (1) approximately how many pensioners would continue to work part time if she relaxed the 12-hour rule, limiting them to that maximum working period a week if they are to retain their retirement pensions; what would be the increase in the cost of pensions and the approximate increase in national production; and, if necessary, if she will institute a survey to secure this information;

(2) if she will ask the National Insurance Advisory Committee to consider increasing from 12 to 24 the maximum hours a pensioner is allowed to work whilst still retaining entitlement to his or her retirement pension.

Mr. Pentland

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for providing the opportunity to clarify this matter. A person can be treated as retired and paid a retirement pension in full if he earns not more than the amount disregarded under the earnings rule, or expects to exceed that amount only occasionally, even if he does work more than 12 hours a week. The present amount disregrded under the earnings rule is £5, but it is proposed to increase this to £6 10s. in the near future in accordance with the recent recommendations of the National Insurance Advisory Committee. I do not think that any further changes in this field are called for at present.