HC Deb 25 May 1908 vol 189 cc771-2
MR. GOULDING (Worcester)

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he will publish the figures on which he based his statement in the House on the introduction of the Budget that the Government had decided to reject the sliding scale as a basis for granting old-age pensions.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE, Carnarvon Boroughs)

The figures bearing on this matter are very conjectural, and the decision of the Government was come to, not merely upon the evidence of figures, but upon a general review of the complexities and anomalies which a sliding scale might introduce.

* MR. CHAPLIN (Surrey, Wimbledon)

I beg to ask the Prime Minister in reference to old-age pensions in Germany, whether the German old-age and invalid pensions came into force under the Acts of 22nd June, 1889, and 12th July, 1899; whether under the latter of these two Acts, with very few exceptions, the whole working population of Germany become members of the invalid and old-age pension funds; whether any person coming under these Acts has a right to an old-age pension from his seventieth year, and to an invalid pension from the time when his capacity for work is reduced to one-third owing to old-age, illness, or accident; whether these two kinds of pensions are intimately connected, and are both regarded as old-age pensions in Germany; and can he state the total number of such pensions in existence on 1st January, 1907.

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE

As the right hon. Gentleman states, there is a close connection under the German law be- tween pensions for invalidity and old age. Invalidity pensions are, however, only granted after a careful inquiry into the circumstances of the claimant and may be withdrawn when the disability ceases, whereas all insured persons on reaching the age of seventy are granted a pension without further investigation. At the beginning of 1907 the number of invalidity pensions was 814,575, and of old-age pensions 125,603.

* MR. CHAPLIN

But is the original Act of June, 1889, repealed by that of July, 1899?

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE

I cannot say without notice.

MR. HAROLD COX

Is it not a fact that the number of old-age pensions, properly so-called, is rapidly decreasing, and that the number of invalidity pensions is increasing?

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE

asked for notice of the Question.