§ 33. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the mother of a child who has reached 14 years 1156 of age is deprived of its allowance under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act although the child has been for some years excluded from school owing to its mental condition; and whether he is prepared to amend the Act so that a child who is medically certified as mentally deficient can continue to receive the benefit of the allowance beyond the age of 14 years?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would point out that an Amendment which would have secured what is now proposed was negatived when the Bill was in Committee, and I remain of the opinion that it would not be appropriate to make specific provision for this exceptional class in the contributory pensions scheme.