§ 50. Captain BARNETTasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increased cost of living, the Government are prepared to introduce legislation with the object of making general for the period of the War and six months thereafter the 2s. 6d. increase in old age pensions which is at present only granted in special cases?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer is in the negative. In the opinion of His Majesty's Government the scheme explained in Cd. 8373 should meet the case.
51. Mr. RUTHERFORDasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the discouragement of thrift arising from the fact that under the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908 and 1911, the provisions made for old age through registered friendly societies, trade unions, employers' provident funds, and benevolent institutions are calculated and treated as income so as to reduce the amount of the pensions under the Acts; and whether the Government are prepared to introduce legislation in order to meet the case?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not aware that the provisions of the Old Age Pension Acts dealing with the calculation of claimants' means have had the effect suggested by my hon. Friend. His Majesty's Government are not prepared, as at present advised, to introduce legislation on the subject.