HC Deb 02 July 1974 vol 876 cc87-9W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether the review of social security provisions for

the age of 70 of 65, (ii) to pay only one-third of such employees' contributions, and (iii) to pay only two-thirds of such employees' contributions.

Mr. O'Malley

The annual yield of the full-rate contributions—at August 1974 rates—which are now payable in the circumstances stated and of the suggested one-third rates are as follows:

chronically sick and disabled people, to be presented to Parliament by 31st October 1974, will include a statement of the total structure of a national disability income even though the total structure might have to be implemented in stages;

(2) whether her proposals for a national disability income will include provisions for (a) congenitally disabled people whose disabilities prevent their fulfilling national insurance contribution requirements when they reach working age, (b) disabled housewives, (c) disabled people of working age who suffer either a partial or a total loss of earnings as a result of their disabilities and (d) a disablement costs allowances for disabled people of all ages;

(3) what progress has been made on the review of social security provisions for chronically sick and disabled people which, pursuant to Section 36 of the Social Security Act 1973, must be presented to Parliament by 31st October 1974; whether the report will be presented in the form of a White Paper or a House of Commons Paper; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Alfred Morris

The report, which must take the form of a House of Commons Paper, will be presented as much in advance of the October deadline as may prove possible. So far as the contents are concerned, I must ask my hon. Friend to await publication of the report.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what representations she has received from the Disablement Income Group on the subject of the review of social security provisions for chronically sick and disabled people what reply she has sent; and whether she will make a statement.

Mr. Alfred Marks

The group has made known its objectives, and its hopes that there will be an early announcement of a phased programme to achieve them. It has been assured that its views are very much in my mind.