§ 50. Mr. CHARLES EDWARDSasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider 804 the question of introducing an amendment to the Old Age Pension Act to the effect that payments from friendly societies and other provident organisations shall not be taken into account when calculating the income of a claimant for the old age pension, and thus remove the penalty which now applies to those who, by their thrift, have endeavoured to make some provision for themselves?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Baldwin)I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given to the hon. Member for Hertford on the 10th instant.
§ Mr. BILLINGWhen may we expect a decision, because the only answer I received was that the matter was receiving consideration?
§ Mr. BALDWINThat is so. The Government awaited the Report of the Old Age Pension Commission, and now they have to examine that Report and decide on the course they shall take.