§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that very old people, some of whom are ninety years of age, are deprived of an old age pension because of the fact that, although born in the United Kingdom, they have been away in one of His Majesty's Dominions for over a year, and in view also of the fact that a husband is disqualified from receiving a pension if his wife is in receipt of Poor Law relief, and of the agreement on both sides of the House that these provisions of the Old Age Pensions Act should be amended, he will now introduce a short Bill for that object, so that it may have a chance of being passed as an unopposed measure?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe Government fully recognise the desirability of amending the Old Age Pensions Act in several particulars, and it is proposed to introduce a Bill as soon as there is a suitable opportunity. The points referred to in the question are receiving careful consideration, but I am not vet in a position to give any definite pledge as to the scope of the proposed Amending Bill or to fix a date for its introduction.