75. Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Health if any decision has yet been come to as to whether, under the new Pensions Act, the widow and children under the age of 14 of a man who contributed to health insurance and/or unemployment benefits during the period in which his income was under £250 per annum, but who subsequently received an income in excess of that amount, are entitled to any benefits in view of the contributions paid?
§ Sir K. WOODA person who ceases to be liable to pay contributions remains an insured person for a period which, on average, amounts to 21 months from the 638 date when he was last employed. Further, a person who ceases to be liable to pay contributions may become a voluntary contributor, provided he was employed and insured for at least 104 weeks. It is clear, therefore, that in the normal case it is open to a man, who has ceased to be insured compulsorily by reason of the rate of his remuneration having risen above £250 a year, to keep his insurance alive to the date of his death, and satisfy the conditions entitling his widow to a pension under the Act.