§ 43. Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the 2231 advisability if taking steps to make small manufacturers eligible for admission to the voluntary scheme of pensions insurance, which the Government propose to introduce, in addition to small shopkeepers and farmers?
§ Sir K. WOODThe announcement made by the Government with regard to the introduction of a new scheme of voluntary insurance for pensions indicated that there is no intention of discriminating between persons engaged in different occupations as regards eligibility for admission to the scheme.
§ 44. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether, when a recipient of an old age pension enters a rate-aided institution after having previously resided with his or her elder son, the public assistance committee is authorised by his Department to claim the pension as a contribution towards the cost of maintenance of the patient notwithstanding the objection of the son, and even in a case where an officer of the public assistance committee persuades the sick patient to allow him to guide her or his hand to make the cross of authority to draw the pension?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. A public assistance authority cannot be authorised by me to claim a pension on behalf of an old age pensioner. Where, however, the pensioner has means available for his maintenance derived fro a pension or otherwise the authority can properly take steps to recover the cost of his relief.
§ 52. Mr. LECKIEasked the Minister of Health the number of contributory pensioners who have reached the age of 65 who were married to their present wives before the pensions Act was passed, and who are now receiving a single pension of 10s. because the wife has not reached that age?
§ Sir K. WOODI am afraid that the information asked for by my hon. Friend is not available.