§ 52. Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Health the number of persons who since June last have been refused their application for an old age pension?
§ Mr. GREENWOOD20,747 applications for old age pensions have been rejected during the year ended 19th June, 1930.
§ Sir K. WOODIs not the right hon. Gentleman ashamed to mention these figures having regard to the pledges he gave at the last General Election?
§ Mr. GREENWOODNot when I compare the very large number of persons who have been accepted.
§ Mr. GREENWOODI understood the argument of the hon. Lady was that I was giving pensions to necessitous widows.
Miss LEESince hon. Members opposite are so sympathetic, will the Minister of Health give them an opportunity now of voting for what they refused to vote for during the last five years?
§ 64. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated annual cost of a permanent scheme of pensions for industrial workers of 60 and over, not restricted to those who attain that age before a particular date, if the rate of pension were £1 a week for single persons and 30s. a week for married men?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENI assume that this question refers to a scheme of pensions conditional on retirement from work. In 1335 relation to a permanent scheme the term "industrial workers" would obviously have to include agricultural workers, while the large and varied class of persons in domestic employment would have a strong claim for consideration. Excluding this latter class, however, and assuming that pensioners of 65 and upwards who are available for work, but have not recently had a substantial amount of employment could also be excluded, it is estimated, on very moderate assumptions as to the number of persons who would accept the conditions, that the addition to the present cost of pensions would be about £26,000,000 in the first year rising in 10 years to £43,000,000 and in 20 years to over £50,000,000.
§ 69. Mr. MALONEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated annual cost of increasing old age pensions at 65 from 10s. to £1 per week, assuming that the whole cost was borne by the Government?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENIf the contributory old age pensions at 65 were doubled they would have to be continued at the increased rate after the recipients attained the age of 70, and it would accordingly be necessary to make a corresponding increase in the pensions of all persons now over 70 who have a right based upon insurance. Widows' pensions would also have to be doubled at 65 since the widow of an insured man could not be paid a smaller pension than a wife of the same age. It is estimated that the cost in the first year would be about £42 millions and that in 10 years it would approach £60 millions.
Miss LEEWill the right hon. Gentleman give the matter his sympathetic consideration, in view of the fact that many of these old age pensioners must apply for parish relief, and there would be a saving on the rates if the money was provided from national taxation?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI have, of course, the greatest sympathy with everyone who is in a position of need, but in my official position I have other things to take into consideration.