§ Mr. WhitneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he intends to appeal against the Court of Appeal judgment in the case of Mrs. Ethel Pearse given on 12 June; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeWe have decided not to appeal against the Court of Appeal judgment. The effect of the judgment is that a married woman who has received her graduated retirement benefit may also be entitled, for the same period, to earn increments to her category B retirement pension if that is deferred. This is contrary to the way in which the legislation had previously been interpreted. Arrangements are in hand to identify all cases which may benefit from the ruling and, where appropriate, to pay the arrrears of benefit. It is hoped that this will be completed by the end of this financial year. We propose to change the regulations so that, for future cases, the receipt of graduated retirement benefit will preclude increments.