HC Deb 27 March 1930 vol 237 cc600-1
68. Mr. HORE-BELISHA

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation enabling shopkeepers and other persons engaged industrially or professionally on their own account to become voluntary contributors, so that they may enjoy the provisions of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts?

Mr. GREENWOOD

This matter comes within the scope of the Cabinet Committee engaged on a general survey of the existing insurance and pensions legislation.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate when this committee is expected to report?

Mr. GREENWOOD

I have already informed the House that this committee will report from time to time to the Cabinet.

Sir K. WOOD

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember all that he said about this subject also?

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to accelerate the work of this committee and get something done?

71. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now decided to introduce a Measure to grant pensions to all widows in need?

Mr. GREENWOOD

I may perhaps suitably remind the right hon. Gentleman of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1929, which came into force on 2nd January, 1930, and gave potential rights to widows' pensions to 500,000 widows.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Has the right hon. Gentleman forgotten that this Act did not give pensions to widows in need; and will he now take any steps to carry out the Prime Minister's pledge?

Mr. GREENWOOD

My answer to that is, that it gave pensions to nearly 500,000 widows who were in need.

Sir K. WOOD

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that, as far as these poor widows are concerned, it is a case of "Good-bye to all that"?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that that Act was the last word of the Government in the matter?

Mr. GREENWOOD

No, Sir.

76. Mr. HALL-CAINE

asked the Minister of Health the number of new pensioners who are receiving pensions under the last Widows', Orphans,' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act in Liverpool?

Mr. GREENWOOD

I regret that the information asked for is not available as the records of pensions are not arranged on a territorial basis.