§ Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why housewives' noncontributory invalidity pension cannot be claimed by those over 60 years of age if they develop an infirmity after that age, yet it can be claimed by those over 60 years of age if they had been in receipt of this benefit before the age of 60 years; and if he will take steps to bring over-60's into the scheme.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisNon-contributory invalidity pension (NCIP), including its extension to married women, is an income maintenance benefit which helps to compensate for lack of earnings, people who are prevented by ill health or disablement from doing paid work. 60 is the age at which a woman normally retires from work, and it was for this reason that the requirement was included that a woman must be under pensionable age—i.e., 60—when entitlement to NCIP first arises. Over pensionable age a married woman will normally be entitled to retirement pension. We have recognised, however,592W that in some cases there would be no entitlement to retirement pension at the age of 60 and that to withdraw NCIP if it is already in payment in such circumstances would be harsh. In these cases, NCIP continues in payment and we have no proposals to amend this part of the scheme.