§ 69. Miss WILKINSONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received representations from the Middlesbrough and other old age pensions committees to the effect that the reductions as to means which are imposed on applicants for old age pensions under the Act of 1908 are a cause of serious dissatisfaction, particularly the method of calculating the yearly value of property as set forth in paragraph (a) of Section 4 (1) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1919; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take steps at an early date to deal with the matter?
Mr. SAMUELThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. For the rest I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Exeter (Sir R. Newman) on 15th December last, of which I am sending her a copy.
§ Miss WILKINSONIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that the present method of assessing the almost insignificant property of these old people places them at a very serious disadvantage under the new Act?
Mr. SAMUELOn that point, I must refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Exeter on 15th November, which she will find deals with that point.
§ Mr. RENNIE SMITHIn view of the proposals of the Government for making generous arrangements for members of 1921 the Diplomatic Service, does not the hon. Member think that we might abolish the income limit altogether in these cases?