§ 19. Mr. STEPHENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider the introduction of legislation with the object of granting pensions to widows who would be eligible for pensions under the Act of 1929 were it not for the fact that they have gone to spend a few years with members of their family in different parts of the British Empire, but have since returned to this country and are permanently resident here?
§ Lieut. - Colonel COLVILLEWhen applying the residential qualification laid down in Section 13 of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1929, careful and sympathetic consideration is given to the circumstances which led to absence from Great Britain in each individual case. My right hon. Friend does not consider that any amendment of that Section is called for.
§ Mr. STEPHENIs the Minister not aware that in spite of that Section, there are many cases where a person has been deprived of pension owing to having spent a short time in some other part of the Empire? Is he not going to help those people?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEMy information is that the Section has been interpreted liberally enough, but if the hon. Member has any case that he wishes to bring to my notice, I will consider it.
§ Mr. STEPHENDoes that mean that the hon. and gallant Member will reconsider the decision he came to in the cases I have mentioned?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLENo, Sir. I have yet to see the hon. Member's evidence which would dispute the statement that I have made.
§ Mr. STEPHENI will send it.