§ 45. Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to introduce legislation abolishing the thrift disqualification for old age pensioners?
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. Clynes)As I stated last Thursday, the Financial Resolution dealing with this matter will be placed first Order on the Paper to-morrow.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAThe question is one of abolition, not of a Resolution?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe matter can be discussed to-morrow.
49. Mr. MITCHELLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when he proposes the abolition of the thrift penalty in connection with old age pensions, he will also take into consideration the modification of the Regulation compelling residence in the United Kingdom for a prior aggregate period of not less than 12 years; and whether any instances have been brought to his notice in which this Regulation works harshly?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Snowden)I assume that the hon. Member refers to the provision in the Old Age Pensions Acts that it shall be a statutory condition for the receipt of an old age pension by any person that, if he is a natural-born British subject, he has, since attaining the age of 50 years, had his residence in the United Kingdom for an aggregate period of not less than 12 years. This represents a modification of the previous provision following a recommendation of the Departmental Committee on Old Age Pensions of 1919, who reported that they did not consider a condition of this kind unreasonable. I am only aware of one case in which this provision is alleged to have worked hardship, and as at present advised, I am not prepared to modify it.
§ 52. Mr. F. GOULDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will, when considering the means limit of the old age pensions, take into consideration the penalty inflicted on our aged poor who for certain reasons have to resort to Poor Law institutions and thereby suffer the loss of the whole pension, thus throwing them wholly on the local rates; and if he will now make provision to remove such disqualification?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI would ask my hon. Friend to await my statement to-morrow.
§ 65. Mr. E. BROWNasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many persons, of both sexes, are in receipt of old age pensions in each of the county boroughs of Bolton, Northampton, Reading and Warrington?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. William Graham)I regret that the information requested by the hon. Member is not available, as the collection of the annual statistics as to the number of pensioners of each sex resident in county boroughs, etc., was discontinued in 1921 as an economy measure.