asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will take steps to prevent old age pensioners being employed for more than 12 hours per week for less than £1; and whether, until such steps can be taken, he will issue a regulation granting full pension to those who can give proof that their earnings are under £1 for more than 12 hours per week.

No, Sir. My Department has no authority to regulate rates of wages, and the second of the hon. Member's suggestions would be a direct encouragement of low wages.

Is it not the case that advantage is being taken of some of these old age pensioners, and could not something be done to put a stop to it?

It is because of the fact that advantage has been taken in the past that we have adopted those methods which are in operation.