§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent communications he has received from the old age pensioners association; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Ennals:My right hon. Friend has received three letters from officers of the National Federation of Old Age Pensions Associations this year. Their main concern was to question whether the provisions of the National Superannuation and Social Insurance Bill were of value to existing pensioners. My right hon. Friend and I have assured the Federation that the new scheme will be of great value to them since it will ensure a buoyant earnings-related contributions income and a statutory biennial review of pension rates providing, as a minimum, increases in line with price increases.