§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what 407W statutory authority he is rounding-down war disability pensions and other National Insurance benefits to the nearest 1d. on decimalisation; and whether, in all cases, he will round these up to the nearest 1d.
§ Mr. DeanWar disability pensions paid by my Department are in all cases being rounded up to the nearest new penny on decimalisation. In some cases, however, certain other payments on behalf of the Ministry of Defence are combined with the disability pension in one instrument of payment. These payments are being rounded in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Decimal Currency Act, 1969, and where this involves a rounding down the fact is of course reflected in the combined payment. National Insurance benefits are being rounded in accordance with Regulations 2 and 33 of Statutory Instrument 1970 No. 46 the effect of which is that normally benefits will be rounded up. The answer to the last part of the Question is "No".