42. Mr. V. Adamsasked the Minister of Health whether he has examined the case of Mrs. Arthur Braime, of 1, Raynville Road, Bramley, Leeds, who has been disallowed a widow's pension on the ground that 104 weeks did not elapse between her late husband's entry into insurance on 15th October, 1934, and his death on 9th October, 1936; whether he is aware that Mr. Braime's insurance cards were stamped with exactly two years' stamps in respect of 104 weeks of insurance; and what action he proposes in the matter?
§ Sir K. WoodI am aware of the facts of this case. The Act specifically requires as a condition for the award of a widow's pension not only that 104 contributions shall have been paid, but also that 104 weeks shall have elapsed between the husband's entry into insurance and his death. This condition is not satisfied in Mrs. Braime's case, and I regret, therefore, that there is no power to award her a pension.
§ Sir K. WoodNo, I am sorry to say that in this case, which I recognise is a hard one, a double condition has to be fulfilled.
§ Sir K. WoodI am afraid that is the position as laid down in the Act of Parliament.
§ Mr. BateyDoes the Minister not consider, as there are so many hard cases, that the time has come to amend the Act?
§ Sir K. WoodI think that in every friendly society scheme and in every trade union scheme there must be conditions of this character.