asked the Home Secretary the number of persons who are in receipt of State pensions above £2 per week and who have acquired wage-earning occupations since their retirement?

The information desired by the hon. Member is not available.

Ought not such information to be collected immediately? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is great indignation in many part of the country against persons with adequate State pensions having jobs in addition; and will he take steps to obtain the information?

I do not think that the labour which would be involved in obtaining this information, all of which could never be obtained, would be worth while.

Would not it be possible for all persons in receipt of State pensions to answer whether in fact they were in receipt of incomes from other jobs?

We would have to circularise all persons in receipt of naval, military or civil pensions, and it would entirely be for them to decide whether they wished to make any return of any income that they were receiving. I do not think that the State could do anything to prevent such persons from enjoying the pensions to which they were entitled.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that they interfere with the recipients of unemployment benefit, and cannot they do the same with regard to the recipients of pensions?

Are not these State pensions really deferred pay?

Yes.