§ 30. Mr. N. MACLEANasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the possibility of extending, after the age of 21, the pensions of the children of men killed in the War who are permanent invalids; and will he state the number over the age of 21, permanent invalids, who are in receipt of pension because both parents are dead?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Lieut.-Colonel Headlam)On 31st March last pensions had been continued in payment to 80 young persons beyond the age of 21 who were motherless as well as fatherless, and who had been certified 906 to be totally and permanently incapable of self-support. It is a long established principle that State liability for children should not extend at the utmost beyond the attainment of their majority, and, although an exception has been made as regards the special and limited class of young persons who become total orphans before reaching the age of 21, I cannot hold out any hope of a departure from the decision of the late Labour Government that the concessions must be limited to this class.