asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will seek to increase the increment in pensions received after retirement due to additional contributions paid after retirement age by those who continue in work, to an actuarial level.

No, Sir. Increments are complementary to the retirement condition and are not solely an actuarial matter.

If it is the Government's policy to encourage people to continue in work after reaching normal retirement age, is it not markedly inequitable that they should receive less than their actuarial entitlement later on? Does that happen in any other part of the pensions provision?

The opportunity to earn increments has never been one of the major factors influencing decisions to defer retirement until after pension age. The financial attraction of earning, the ability and, in many parts of the country, the opportunity to continue at work are much more important