PENSIONS IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28399, 4 October 1957, Page 9

PENSIONS IN BRITAIN

Labour Policy Approved

N2 Press Associatinn—CopwloMl LONDON, October 2. The British Labour Party conference at Brighton has approved the draft of a proposed pension scheme which would give every worker half pay when he stopped work at 65. The money would come from employers, labour, and the Government. The “shadow” Minister of Health, Mr R. H. S. Crossman, described the policy as a "major revolutionary change to social services.” Destitution and poverty among the aged in Britain were a scandal and a disgrace. He said an essential part of the scheme was that everyone now drawing £2 a week would draw £3 a week, which would rise if the cost of living incressed. The Labour Party wanted to see this measure Introduced immediately and it would have no objections if the present Government started it. In fact the Socialists would be "very glad” the pensioner should have his rights, whatever government was in power. Contrary to last year there was little excitement over the election of officers. Mr Aneurin Bevan went in unopposed as treasurer this year, and the only change in the election of constituency party members was that of Mr Jamea Callaghan., one of the leading younger members of the party, replaced Mr Sidney Silverman on the national executive, Mr P. Gordon-Walker, a potential Commonwealth Relations Secretary, was well down on the list of those not appointed, and Miss Jennie Lee, wife of Mr Bevan, failed again to be elected.