HC Deb 04 December 1930 vol 245 cc2379-80
55. Mr. OSWALD LEWIS

asked the Minister of Health why Mrs. R. A. Coulling, of 10, Artillery Street South, Colchester, whose husband, as a member of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Insurance Fund, paid over 104 contributions between 15th July, 1912, and 9th November, 1925, and who after that date was in such poor health that he was only able to do one day's work between 9th November, 1925, and the date of his death in 1929, has been refused a. pension

Mr. GREENWOOD

Mrs. Coulling's claim for a widow's pension failed because the late Mr. Coulling ceased to be employed in November, 1924, and as for some time thereafter he was engaged in hawking on his own account, he ceased to be an insured person in November, 1925. He again became employed in July, 1928, but only paid one contribution thereafter, and his widow's claim for pension had to be refused on the ground of insufficiency of contributions.

Mr. LEWIS

Why, when the Act clearly says "the date of entry into insurance," does the right hon. Gentleman administer it as though the words were "date of re-entry into insurance"

Mr. GREENWOOD

I think the hon. Member might ask that question of Ids right hon. Friend the Member for Edgba.ston (Mr. Chamberlain), with whose view I agree.

59. Mr. THOMAS LEWIS

asked the Minister of Health the nature of the legal difficulty, necessitating reference to the High Court, which has arisen in connection with certain types of claims for widows' pensions submitted by widows whose husbands died prior to January, 1926; the approximate number of claims involved; and the probable date when the matter will be heard in the High Court?

Mr. GREENWOOD

The question arising in connection with claims for widows' pensions under the Contributory Pensions Act, 1929, which it has been found necessary to refer to the High Court for decision, is, whether during a period of incapacity for work, 'a person retains the normal occupation which he followed immediately before the onset of the incapacity; the number of claims awaiting the decision of the Court is approximately 2,000; the ease has already been put down and all possible steps are being taken to expedite the hearing, but the actual date has not yet been fixed.