§ Mr. Luceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, as part of his consideration of means of protecting the value of retirement pensions, he will conduct an investigation into the Belgian system of automatic adjustment to retirement pensions whenever the cost of living increases by a defined percentage.
§ Sir K. JosephWe are seeking information about the way in which the Belgian authorities review and adjust retirement pensions. It is already clear, however, that there are features of the Belgian system, particularly the method and frequency of payment, which would render it inappropriate in this country.
§ Mr. Lamondasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost of reducing the pensionable age for males to 60 years.
§ Sir K. JosephOn the assumption that the pattern of retirement of men between 60 and 65 years of age would be as it is now for men between 65 and 70 years of age the cost, including the loss of contribution income, would be of the order of £750 million a year.
274W
§ Mr. Lamondasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost of retirement pensions in the financial year 1971–72.