§ 23. Mr. DENVILLEasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties of the Old Age Pensions Acts, especially the conditions affecting street traders who have been self-maintained; and will he consider taking steps to make such persons eligible for receipt of old age pensions?
Sir H. YOUNGThe possibility of extending the scope of the contributory pensions scheme so as to admit classes of persons not under a contract of service has been constantly in mind since the earliest years of the operation of the scheme. The claims of the particular class referred to by my hon. Friend have not been overlooked, but the difficulties, both financial and administrative, are so great that it has not been possible to find a satisfactory solution.