§ MR. FINDLAYTo ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the pension officer is entitled to call for a signed document stating the amount of voluntary contribution the members of a family, all married and in homes of their own, are making towards the support of their father and mother who have no means within the meaning of the Act; and whether it is the intention of the Government to exclude old people over seventy from the benefits of the old-age pension scheme where the members of their family are doing what they can to make them comfortable.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) It is necessary that the pension officer should obtain the information referred to in the Question to enable him to discharge his statutory duties of reporting to the pension committee. I am not aware that there is any warrant for the suggestion that such means are not means within the meaning of the Act. It is not the intention of the Government to exclude from the benefits of the scheme any persons receiving assistance from members of their families who would be included if in the enjoyment of an equal income as the result of their own present or past exertions.