§ 54. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health if he will consider amending the contributory insurance pensions scheme to allow aged men now engaged in industry to be superannuated with higher rates of pension than 10s. per week, provided that they retire from industry, so as to absorb numbers of the young men between 18 and 30 years who cannot obtain employment?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Ernest Brown)This suggestion was carefully examined by previous Governments, but for administrative as well as financial reasons it was found impossible to adopt it.
§ Mr. GROVESAre the Government going to turn down this proposal because previous Governments did not do it?
§ Mr. BROWNThat does not follow. It may be that previous Governments had good reason for their action.
§ 57. Mr. GORDON MACDONALDasked the Minister of Health the number of women, whose husbands are in receipt of a contributory pension, who have had their claims for pension disallowed owing to not having attained the age of 65 years?
§ Mr. E. BROWNMy right hon. Friend regrets that this information could only be obtained by a scrutiny of all decided claims for old age pension.