§ 11. Sir CHARLES BARRIEasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that, under the Old Age Pensions Act, when a contributor reaches the age of 70 years he must cease work before he can derive any benefit from the Act; if he is aware of cases in which persons continuing to work after the age of 70 years, who have been taken ill, have been refused sickness benefit; and whether he will consider the desirability of removing this restriction?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. A. Greenwood)My right hon. Friend does not quite understand the first part of the hon. Member's question, unless it is intended to refer to the present statutory means-limit for the receipt of an old age pension. As regards the second part of the question, the title to sickness and disablement benefits under the National Health Insurance Acts ceases on the insured person attaining the age of 70 when the liability for the payment of contributions also ceases. The extension of these benefits to persons over 70 years of age would necessitate an increase in the weekly contributions, and would present serious administrative difficulties to approved societies in the application of the test of incapacity for work. My right hon Friend does not, therefore, think it desirable that legislation to this effect should be introduced.