§ 63 and 64. Mr. WESTWOODasked the Prime Minister (1) what action, if any, the Government propose taking to remove the penalty on thrift imposed on old age pensioners under the present Old Age Pensions Acts;
(2) If the Government will be prepared to allow a free Vote of the House, as did the late Government, on the removal of the anomalies of the present Old Age Pensions Acts, which penalise those who have been thrifty enough to earn an income of, approximately, £50 per year?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIn present financial circumstances the Government is unable to reopen the settlement embodied in the Old Age Pensions Act, 1919, and I am therefore unable to adopt the suggestion made in the second question.
§ Mr. C. BUXTONIs it not a fact that certain individuals are paying all the expenses?
§ Mr. R. DAVIESIs it possible to give instructions by administrative action that the pensions officer shall not take into account goods given by relatives?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI must have notice of that question.