HC Deb 30 November 1967 vol 755 cc158-9W
Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

asked the Minister of Social Security whether, when there is a general increase in National Insurance benefits, she will relax the rule that contributors with a yearly average of less than 50 should receive a reduced increase, in the case of widows over 70 years of age.

Mrs. Hart

No. The National Insurance scheme is contributory and the benefit must depend on the contribution record. When there is a general increase in National Insurance benefits, those at less than standard rates are increased broadly in proportion to the increase in the standard rate in order to maintain the relationship between the various rates. It would be out of keeping with the nature of the scheme to select a special small group for different treatment.