§ 40. Miss WILKINSONasked the Minister of Health what surplus, if any, over the actuarial calculation has been accumulated in the widows' pension fund to the latest date for which figures are available?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThere is no separate widows' pension fund as the question of the hon. Member appears to suggest. The contributions payable are not apportionable between the different classes of pensions provided for by the Act, and there is a single Treasury Pensions Account. The Act provides that this Account should be first examined actuarially in 1935, and, while the Treasury may direct an investigation at an earlier date, it would be quite premature to consider the matter at the present time.
§ 41. Miss WILKINSONasked the Minister of Health whether he has received resolutions from the Middlesbrough and other heal pensions committees urging that uninsured persons should be granted the old age pension at 65; and whether, in view of the hardship to many persons of British nationality caused by the present arrangement, he will reconsider the present position?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)His Majesty's Government are not prepared to recommend that Parliament should extend still further the important provision already made for pensions at 65 by the Widows' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act.
42. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Health the number of persons aged 60 years and over in Britain; and what would be the estimated cost of a noncontributory pension of 30s. a week to all persons aged 60?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe number of persons aged 60 years or over in January, 1926, was estimated at 4,528,000, rising to 6,397,000 in 1940, and 7,558,000 in 1960. The cost of a non-contributory pension of 30s. a week would have been £353 millions a year in 1926, rising to £499 millions in 1940 and £590 millions in 1960.
§ 59. Mr. T. HENDERSONasked the Minister of Health whether a pre-Act widow in receipt of pension under the 556 Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, who has reached the age of 65 years, and whose youngest child is under the age of 14½ years on the 2nd January, 1928, will be granted the old age pension?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer is in the negative, as a person cannot receive a widow's pension and an old age pension concurrently. When the widow's pension expires, the widow would not he entitled to a contributory old age pension by virtue of her husband's insurance. If, however, she is herself an insured person and satisfies the statutory conditions, she will, on the cessation of her widow's pension, be entitled to an old age pension.
§ Mr. T. HENDERSONasked the Minister of Health when it is proposed to issue the instructions as to applications for pensions at 65 payable under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act on 2nd January, 1928?
§ 62. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the widow of a naval rating killed in the service of the country is entitled to a pension varying from 10s. 6d. per week upwards if The is childless or mentally or physically unable to earn her own living, and that there are further allowances for a child or children; that naval ratings subscribe 4½d. per week under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; what benefit the widow of a naval rating killed in the service of his country derives from the 4½d. per week he has paid; and, if no benefit, will he consider the refund of the 4½d. in such circumstances to the widow or an amendment of the law?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third and fourth parts, the payment of contributions by a naval rating normally insures him for all the benefits of the Act, namely, for widow's pension including children's allowances, orphans' pensions and old age pensions for himself and his wife at the age of 65. It is true that the Act specifically provides that the widow's pension shall not be 557 payable if she becomes entitled to an Admiralty pension in respect of the death of her husband attributable to or connected with his service, but, as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, it would be contrary to the principles of insurance to refund the premiums paid when the risk against which the insurance was effected does not mature.
§ Sir B. FALLEDoes that mean that the widow of a man killed in the service of his country receives nothing whatever for the 4½d. paid?
§ Sir B. FALLEBut he has been killed.