§ 52. Major McKENZIE WOODasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to a recent decision of the Court of Session in a stated case under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts with reference to the position in insurance of voluntary contributors under the health and pensions insurance schemes; whether, as a result of that decision, a widow's pension which had been refused by the Department has now been granted by the referees; and whether he will expedite the revision so that those widows who are entitled to pensions may receive their pensions without delay?
§ Mr. GREENWOODA decision on this question was given by the High Court on 15th December, 1927, in the case of Wadsworth v. Minister of Health and the position as regards claims in England and Wales is determined by that decision. Any inquiry regarding the effect of the recent decision of the Court of Session on Scottish cases should be addressed to the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Major WOODAre we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is going to accept the position under which the same law is to be interpreted differently in Scotland and in England, and that widows are to be pensioned in Scotland while in England widows in the same position are to be refused pensions?
§ Mr. GREENWOODIt is deplorable that there should have been two decisions, but it is quite clear that it would mean legislation, and I cannot promise that at the moment.
§ Major WOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Scottish courts say that they have heard a fuller argument than the English courts, and that the English courts would have come to a different decision if they had heard the arguments that the Scottish courts heard?
§ Mr. McSHANECould not the Minister count upon the general assent of the House in some Measure such as this?
§ 56. Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Health what action he is taking in the matter of the request which he has recently received from the national conference on widows and old age pensions that the Government shall fulfil their pledges to widows and old people by the extension of the present insurance scheme?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have answered that this question is amongst those which are engaging the attention of the Cabinet Committee on the co-ordination of the social services.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEHow much longer are we to wait for any action?
§ 57. Mr. T. LEWISasked the Minister of Health the number of widows' pensions which the Government actuary estimated would become payable as from the 1st July, in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1929, and the actual number of such pensions which have been admitted to date?
§ Mr. GREENWOODIt was estimated that about 210,000 widows would become entitled to pensions as from 1st July, 1930, under Section 1 of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1930. Approximately 160,000 of these pensions have been awarded to date, over 40,000 applications, most of which are of recent date, are under investigation, and 3,000 to 4,000 applications a week are still being received from widows who claim to be entitled as from 1st July.
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that numbers of these widows are still expecting their pensions to be raised from 10s. to £1, as per this leaflet?
§ Sir K. WOODIs he also aware that there are a great many widows still waiting for pensions?
§ 62. Mr. SORENSENasked the Minister of Health the number of successful and unsuccessful applicants in Leyton for pensions under the Pensions Act of 1929?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI regret that the information asked for is not available, as the claims are not arranged on a territorial basis.
§ 63. Mr. W. W. HENDERSONasked the Minister of Health the number of beneficiaries under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act of 1925, and under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act of 1929, respectively?
§ Mr. GREENWOODAs the answer involves a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ I assume that my hon. Friend washes to have the total number of awards made under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, since 4th January, 1926, when that Act first came into operation.
§ As regards the Act of 1929 he will appreciate that that Act does not come fully into operation until January next.
§ The following figures relate to pensions awarded to 26th June, 1930, in Great Britain:
| — | Act of 1925. | Act of 1929. |
| Windows' Pensions | 396,693 | 155,495* |
| Orphans' pensions | 19,543 | — |
| Old Age Pensions (65 to 70 years of age). | 918,892 (To wives of men over 70 at 2.1.28.) | 24,852 |
| Old Age Pensions (over 70 years of age). | 356,921 | — |
| * In addition 15,686 widows who had ceased to be entitled to pensions under the 1925 Act had their pensions restored from 2nd January, 1930. |