Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked whether the Government will introduce this Session a Bill to amend the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, so as to provide that in calculating the yearly means of a pensioner or applicant for a pension no account shall be taken of any sick pay or superannuation allowance received by such pensioner or applicant as a member of a friendly society, seeing that no private Member is permitted to introduce such a Bill?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd-George)The first matter to be dealt with by the Government in connection with Old Age Pensions will be the removal of the pauper disqualification, and I am afraid that until that has -been done I cannot give pledges as to further extensions of the right to pensions.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this will be the second point to be dealt with?
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEWell, I am not so sure about that. I will consider it.
§ Mr. FLAVINMay I ask whether persons in receipt of outdoor relief up to Christmas of this year will receive old age pensions next year?
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEI hope, when the House reassembles, after the Spring Recess, that a Bill will be introduced dealing with that matter.