§ 12. Mr. TINKERasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that difficulty is experienced by applicants for the additional allowance and orphans' pension under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, when compensation has been paid in regard to the Workmen's Compensation Act; and will he consider the issuing of an explanatory leaflet to make the position clear?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Mr. Chamberlain)It is the practice of my Department to issue an explanatory letter to every applicant whose right to an additional allowance or an orphan's pension is affected by the receipt compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act, and, having regard to the comparatively small number of such cases, I do not think it is necessary to issue an explanatory leaflet.
§ Mr. TINKERSection 25 speaks of "in the prescribed manner." How are we to know what is the prescribed manner unless there is a leaflet to explain it?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINIf they cannot understand an explanatory letter, I am very doubtful if they would understand a leaflet.
13. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Health if a person, owing to a rise in wages, ceases to be compulsorily insured under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, and becomes a voluntary contributor, has to pay 104 contributions from the date of his becoming a voluntary contributor to be eligible for full benefits, and if in the case where a person, who has become a voluntary contributor following a rise 1001 in wages or salary, later has his wage reduced and is again compulsorily insured, 104 contributions have to be paid from the date of the renewal of compulsory insurance before the widow, in the event of a man's death, would be eligible for pension?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; in each case the insurance is continuous, and all contributions paid since the date of entry into insurance will count towards the required 104 contributions.