§ Mr. O'GRADYasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Ottolini, of Leeds, who, although a ratepayer and exercising the municipal vote since the death of her husband 38 years ago, has now been deprived of her old age pension on the ground that her husband was a foreigner; and whether, in view of the hardship involved to this old widow lady, any steps can or will be taken to restore to her the pension? I may mention that this woman is an Englishwoman, and of English birth.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Lewis)I have received an appeal against the decision of the pension sub-committee in this case. Some further information is necessary before I can decide the appeal, and this I am taking steps to obtain.
§ Mr. O'GRADYasked whether there are any cases in which a woman deprived of a 2318 pension under the Old Age Pensions Act on the grounds that although an Englishwoman she was the wife of a foreigner, and that on being married again to a Britisher has qualified for a pension under the Act?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWISCases of the kind mentioned have not come under my notice. I may, however, point out that although a woman in the circumstances stated in the question would, on her second marriage, become a British subject, it would be necessary, under the Old Age Pensions Act, that she should retain that nationality for 20 years in order to become entitled to a pension.
§ Mr. O'GRADYAm I to understand that the woman must be 90 years old before becoming entitled to a pension?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWISThe first question is under investigation. As regards the second, the law is as I have stated, and if the hon. Member will refer to the Old, Age Pensions Act he will find it is so.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs it possible for a woman to become a foreign subject without leaving the country at all?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWISIf a woman marries a foreigner she follows the nationality of her husband.
§ Mr. O'GRADYIf a foreign woman marries an Englishman is she still a foreigner?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWISNo; she becomes of British nationality.