§ 51. Mr. THURTLEasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the proposal contained in the new insurance scheme, whereby the means limit will be abolished for old age pensions so far as certain persons are concerned, he can hold out any hope of abolishing the means limit altogether?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI can add nothing to the statements on the subject of old age pensions which have already been made in this connection.
§ 96. Mr. BASIL PETOasked the Minister of Health whether there is any provision in the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill to provide pensions for the widows of police constables who retired from the force before September, 1918, and whose widows are not in receipt of or at present entitled to receive a pension?
§ Sir JAMES REMNANTasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the position of widows of police officers, who had retired before September. 1918, under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill: and if they are included amongst those who will benefit under that Bill?
§ 89. Mr. HAYESasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill does not explicitly take cognisance of the position of the widows of police officers who retired prior to September, 1918, and who are not beneficiaries under the Police Pensions 1135 Acts although their husbands were contributors to police pension funds; and whether he can state if they are covered by the terms of the Bill?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINWidows and orphans of such police officers who died before the commencement of the Act will be entitled to benefit subject to the provisions of Clause 18 of the Bill. Where after the commencement of the Act a claim arises in respect of such a police officer, the claim will have to be considered with reference to his position in regard to insurance since his retirement.
§ 87. Mr. OLIVERasked the Minister of Health whether under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill persons at present entitled to pension on reaching the age of 70 will only receive a pension if they are insured persons or widows of insured persons?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. The Bill proposes to relieve insured persons and their wives or widows from the necessity of satisfying the means test and certain other tests specified in the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908 to 1924. But it does not deprive other persons of their rights under those Acts.
§ 90 Mr. THURTLEasked the Minister of Health whether, under the new provisions for pensions it is proposed that earnings will not be taken into account in considering the eligibility or otherwise of any applicant for an old age pension after 1st July, 1926?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer is in the affirmative so far as concerns persons who are within the scope of the insurance scheme.
§ 103 Mr. LUNNasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the annual cost to the employers, to the mineral royalty owners, and to the whole of the workers engaged in the coal-mining industry by reason of their payments under the proposed contributory insurance scheme?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have been asked to reply. The proposed contributory insurance scheme is framed on a national basis, and not on the basis of segregation of industries. Estimates of the produce of the contributions, and the value of the benefits, have therefore 1136 been prepared for the scheme as a single whole, but are not available for each separate industry.
§ Mr. LUNNIs not the right hon. Gentleman prepared to take any steps to make these royalty owners, who toil not neither do they spin, but receive millions of pounds annually from this industry, pay contributions to the pension scheme?