§ 39. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the recent disclosure in a case at the Marylebone Police Court that an alien who was fined for shop-lifting was in receipt of 10s. a week under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; and whether legislation will be introduced confining the benefits of this Act to British sub jects?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe Contributory Pensions Acts, like the other British social insurance schemes, make no distinction between British subjects and aliens either as regards liability to pay contributions or as regards title to benefit. My right hon. Friend cannot undertake to introduce legislation on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDoes not my hon. Friend think that the burdens upon the British taxpayers in providing benefits for our own nationals are sufficiently heavy without providing those benefits for aliens?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREAny foreign person in an insurable occupation contributes towards the benefit he receives.