30. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Health if in future approved societies can be notified when any of their members receive pensions under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) on the 11th February.
§ 31. Mr. OLIVERasked the Minister of Health whether a widow, aged 65, who was not eligible for widow's pension on the death of her husband, aged 70, an insured person, because she had no 546 children under 14 years of age, will be eligible for the old age pension on 2nd January, 1928?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIn the circumstances indicated in the question, the widow will not be entitled to an old age pension on 2nd January, 1928, unless she is herself an insured person and satisfies the statutory conditions.
§ 32. Mr. SUTTONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, when a widow, one of whose children has attained the age of 14 years, has to change her book of vouchers, she has to wait in some cases many weeks before her new book is returned to her, and in the meantime has to apply to the guardians for relief; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into this matter with a view to this state of affairs being altered?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe existing arrangements are designed to secure continuity of payment of pensions in the circumstances referred to, and, if the hon. Member will supply particulars of any cases in which this result has not been obtained, I will look into them.
§ Mr. SUTTONI will supply the information.
§ 37. Mr. RAMSDENasked the Minister of Health how many persons have been refused pensions although they contributed to the National Health Insurance scheme until they were 70 years old, but by reason of their age have not been able to fulfil the qualification that they should have been continuously insured for five years?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINMy hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. There is no requirement in the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, of a period of five years' continuous insurance as a condition for the grant of an old age pension at the age of 70.