HC Deb 10 November 1930 vol 244 cc1304-5
36. Mr. STEPHEN

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of pensions which have been reduced in amount owing to the passing of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts of 1925 and of last year, and the weekly saving to the Ministry thereby entailed?

Mr. ROBERTS

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 30th July to the hon. Member for the Gorbals Division of Glasgow (Mr. Buchanan), of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. STEPHEN

Will the Minister consider whether he ought not to stop this process of reducing widows' pensions?

Mr. ROBERTS

If my hon. Friend looks at the answer, he will find, generally speaking, so far from a reduction taking place, that on the two pensions there was an increase.

Mr. STEPHEN

On the two pensions, yes; but is there any reason, since the widows' pension is given on an insurance basis, why the other pension should be reduced? Is the widow to get no advantage?

Mr. ROBERTS

I am afraid I cannot add usefully to the answer I have quoted.