§ 60. Sir B. FALLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if pensioners who are not receiving more than £26 pension and are eligible for an old age pension are allowed to earn a further sum not exceeding 30s. per week and still receive an old age pension; and if he can see his way to grant an old age pension to all pensioners of seventy-five or eighty years of age who are unable to work in receipt of a pension not exceeding £52 per annum?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. Under the Old Age Pension Acts the legal limit for a pension is an income of £31 10s. from all sources as estimated under those Acts, and nobody in receipt of an income above that figure is entitled to a pension.
§ Mr. HOGGECan my hon. Friend explain why the Treasury allow people in receipt of an old age pension to earn this further wage up to 30s. and refuse to give to people who may be in receipt of Army allowances the old age pension to which otherwise they would be entitled?
§ Mr. BALDWINI have answered that question very often. In the case of men already in receipt of a pension it is possible, by straining the law, to let that allowance be given, but in the case of the payment of an old age pension it is impossible to give that consideration without breaking the law, and fresh legislation would be necessary.
§ Major CHAPPLEWould it not be possible to introduce a small non-contentious measure to remedy this matter—there would be no dispute about it at all?