§ 25. Captain SPENCERasked the Minister of Health if his attention has 1689 been drawn to the fact that disabled ex-service men who are unable to obtain employment because of their disability are not entitled to the old age pension at 65; and will he take the necessary steps to remove the disqualification in such cases?
Sir H. YOUNGThe contributory pensions Acts do not distinguish between ex-service men and others. The ex-service man who complies with the statutory conditions is entitled to an old age pension at 65, even if he is in receipt of a War disability pension. The proposed relaxation in the statutory conditions in the case of ex-service men would be contrary to the contributory basis of the scheme, and I could not contemplate legislation for the purpose.