§ 1. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Pensions the number of cases where a woman who has lost her son or sons in the Great War and was in receipt of a need pension, having been dependent on them for support, has been deprived of this need pension on becoming eligible for an old age pension from the Ministry of Health?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)Need pensions are subject to adjustment in the event of any permanent change in the pensioner's financial circumstances, but no special record is kept of the adjustments resulting from the grant of an old age pension. In the majority of cases, however, the net result of adjustments on this account is, I understand, to increase the aggregate income of the pensioner.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes the Minister of Pensions take into account the fact that when a mother receives her old age pension it is usually at an age when she is past work; does he give sympathetic consideration to that fact?
§ Major TRYONThat point is covered when the pension is awarded. This question really arises more frequently just now owing to old age pensions being granted at 65 instead of 70. They are therefore dealt with earlier than before.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take into consideration that even at 65 an old lady is not so well able to support herself and wants the money more?
§ Major TRYONCertainly, that is one of the reasons already taken into consideration.