§ 70. Major McKENZIE WOODasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, although employed contributors under the National Health and Pensions Insurance Acts who are under 65 years of age are entitled to pay contributions during periods of sickness or unemployment, this privilege is by Article 9 of the Contributory Pensions (Collection of Contributions for Persons over 65) Regulations, 1928, denied to contributors over 65; whether he realises that many persons who entered insurance after the age of 60 will thus be unable to complete the qualifying period of five years for contributory pensions and will receive no benefit in return for contri- 647 butions paid; and whether he will reconsider Article 9 above mentioned in the light of Sub-section (1) of Section 10 of the Widows,' Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925?
§ Mr. GREENWOODAs regards the first and third parts of the question, the provisions which prevent a person over 65 from paying contributions when not employed are contained, not merely in the Regulations quoted by the hon. Member, but in the Contributory Pensions Act itself. As regards the second part, the hon. Member is under a misapprehension, for a man who is insured on reaching the age of 65 remains insured for life, so that the fact that he cannot pay contributions in respect of any period after he has attained 65 can in no way prevent the fulfilment of the condition that he must have been continuously insured for five years.
§ Major WOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, under present conditions, a man who is almost 65 may be compelled to pay contributions right up to the age of 70 and have no chance of ever getting anything in return for them?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman is misinformed. I shall be glad to discuss the matter with him.