2. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Pensions whether a widow in receipt of a need pension in respect of a son killed in the War would have her pension reduced on being granted a pension under the Blind Persons Act?
§ Major TRYONThe need pension being fixed with reference to the financial circumstances of the beneficiary, is necessarily subject to review and adjustment on the occasion of any increase in the regular income of the beneficiary from whatever source derived.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that since the warrant was first drawn up the Blind Persons Act has been passed, and is it to be supposed that it was the intention of the warrant to act to the detriment of a blind person in such circumstances?
§ Major TRYONPayments under the Blind Persons Act begin at the age of 50, and it is necessary to take them into account as in dealing with old age pensions and similar pensions.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONIn view of the fact that a woman who has gone blind requires more care than a person with sight, would the standard of income be different in the case of a blind person as compared with a person who is not so incapacitated?
§ Major TRYONThe need pension is dependent on incapacity in all cases.
§ Mr. MORRISONDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate the fact that there is a difference between incapacity due to age and incapacity due to blindness?
§ Major TRYONThe point is that the need pension is fixed by taking into account all the sources of income, and the maximum amount is the same in all cases.
§ Sir BERTRAM FALLEIn the event of there being 'a need pension as well as a pension for blindness, would the recipient keep the need pension?
§ Major TRYONNobody would be placed at a disadvantage.
§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that at the outset of the pension scheme it was intimated to this House that nothing would be taken from the pension because of income?
§ Major TRYONOn the contrary, in fixing need pensions it has been the invariable practice of all Governments to take all sources of income into account.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs it not a fact that the maximum need pension is £1, and is not the point of this question that it should be increased in the case of blind persons?
§ Major TRYONThe need pension clearly could not be increased beyond the maximum.