§ 16. Mr. WINDSORasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will have a copy of the minutes of the Central Advisory Committee, held on 17th February, placed in the Library for the information of Members of the House; and whether the Ministry has under consideration the withholding of part of the pension issuable to children between the ages of 14 and 16 years?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYMy right hon. Friend does not see his way to accept the suggestion in the first part of the question. The proceedings of the Advisory Committee are in the nature of a 1481 free and frank discussion on the matters of administration and policy put before them, and this would not be the case if the proceedings were published and, as such, became the subject of general canvass. With regard to the latter part of the question, a suggestion was made by the Ministry in order to meet proposals made by certain advisory councils that, in the interests of motherless children, a portion of the allowance otherwise payable to any such child might be temporarily withheld between the ages of 14 and 16 if the child were at the same time at work and earning a wage, in order that, on the child attaining the age of 16, a lump sum might be available to him or her for the purchase of tools or outfit required. This suggestion, which was favourably received, has been put for the consideration of advisory councils