§ 58. Mr. CROOKSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the present Regulations governing the private incomes of persons in receipt of old age pensions apply to persons attaining the age of seventy years and earning anything up to 30s. per week, or whether such persons are held to be ineligible for the pension?
§ Mr. BALDWIN (Joint Financial Secretary to the Treasury)The administrative concessions to which the right hon. Member refers are applicable only to existing 1051 old age pensioners and not to claimants. As has been repeatedly explained in this House, it would not be possible to enable claimants who are earning 30s. a week to obtain pensions without an alteration of one of the most important provisions of the Old Age Pensions Acts, namely, that laying down the means qualification for the grant of a pension. I can hold out no hope of introducing legislation for the purpose of giving effect to ths proposal.
§ 59. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the old age pension is given to old age pensioners although they are earning far more than the statutory limit,—indeed, are earning up to 30s. per week; and if he will allow the old age pension to all pensioners whose pensions are inadequate and are less than this sum?
§ Mr. BALDWINIf I understand the hon. and gallant Member's proposal correctly, it is that old age pensioners who are in receipt of a pension at less than the full rate of 5s. a week should have their pensions increased to that rate, notwithstanding that they are earning 30s. a week.
§ Sir B. FALLEYes.
§ Mr. BALDWINThis proposal could not be given effect to without an alteration of one of the most important provisions of the Old Age Pensions Acts, namely that laying down the means qualification for the grant of a pension, and I can hold out no hope of introducing legislation for the purpose of giving effect to the proposal. I may point out that in being allowed to continue drawing their pension money at all while they are earning 30s. a week the pensioners concerned are enjoying a substantial privilege.
§ Sir B. FALLEI am afraid my question was not quite clear. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, for instance, there are Crimean and Mutiny Veterans receiving about £1 or less per week who are suffering now from high prices, and who should be eligible for old age pensions, and is it possible that these men can be given this pension during the period of the War?
§ Mr. BALDWINIf my hon and gallant Friend will send me particulars of these cases, I will look into them; but I am afraid I cannot answer a technical point like he has put without notice.
§ Mr. BILLINGWhat action has an old age pensioner to take who has his pension stopped in consequence of drawing 13s. dependant's allowance?