§ 23. Miss WILKINSONasked the Minister of Health the total number of widows' pensions that have been applied for to 30th September, 1927, and the total number that have been refused?
§ 24. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Health the number of widows' pensions, orphan allowances, and old age pensions awarded to date under the Act of 1925?
§ Sir K. WOODOn the latest figures available children's allowances and orphans' pensions have been awarded in approximately 337,200 cases; old age pensions to persons over 70 years of age in 215,743 cases. In addition provisional awards of pensions to persons between the ages of 65 and 70 which will be payable as from January next have been awarded to more than 300,000 persons in England and Wales.
The total number of applications for widows' pensions to 30th September, 1927, was 291,502, and the total number of awards to date is 228,560. Of the applications, 182,281 were from widows whose husbands died before the commencement of the Act, and 109,221 from widows whose husbands died after its commencement; 61,394 were either rejected or withdrawn, 49,774 being of the former category and 11,620 of the latter.
§ Miss WILKINSONIn view of the large number of refusals of which the hon. Member has given us the details, and in view of the very real hardship caused in many of the border-line cases, in regard to which the law is not clear, can we have an assurance that these cases will be reviewed, because a very real hardship is being caused?
§ Sir K. WOODWe have to comply strictly with the Act of Parliament. I do not agree with the hon. Member when she says that a large proportion of these cases have been refused. It is the policy of the Minister of Health to strain the law where he can in favour of the applicant, and that is confirmed by many thousands of cases in which applicants are drawing pensions for the first time.
§ Miss WILKINSONIf it be the policy of the right hon. Gentleman to strain the law in favour of applicants, why is the practice of the Department not in accord with that policy?
§ Sir K. WOODThe statement made is that there are now thousands of cases in which the applicants are drawing pensions for the first time.
§ Sir BASIL PETOIs it not a fact that no claims are refused except such as do not come within the scheme of the Act?
§ Sir K. WOODCertainly.
§ Mr. E. BROWNIs the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that there is a great deal of misunderstanding in the minds of aged persons as to the conditions under which pensions at 65 years of age will be granted, and can he make a short statement showing the conditions under which aged persons are entitled to pensions at 65 years of age?
§ Sir K. WOODIf the hon. Member will put down a question, I will endeavour to furnish the information.
§ Mr. LOOKERCan the Parliamentary Secretary say to what extent the granting of these pensions will affect outdoor relief?
§ Sir K. WOODIf my hon. Friend will put down a question, I will give the figures. There will certainly be a reduction in that respect.
§ Mr. THURTLEHave the Government in contemplation any amending legislation with a view to bringing in some of these hard cases?
§ Sir K. WOODNot at present, but I would remind the hon. Member that he himself voted for the total rejection of the scheme.