§ 52. Mr. Bateyasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider introducing legislation to amend the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Pensions Act, to provide that when a man 65 years of age receives an old age pension his wife may also be allowed a pension irrespective of her age?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 27th May last to the hon. Members for the Springburn Division of Glasgow (Mr. Hardie) and Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie).
§ Mr. BateyWill the Financial Secretary answer my question? Will he consider introducing legislation to remedy this serious defect?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleIf the hon. Member will look at the previous answer he will see that it was fully considered, and that I was unable to promise such legislation.
§ 53. Mr. Bateyasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider introducing legislation to amend the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Pensions Act to provide for the removal of the 104 stamps qualification for a widow's pension and to substitute that the husband had been engaged in an insurable trade?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleI do not think it would be practicable to administer a 1057 contributory scheme of insurance without reference to the contributions actually paid.
§ Mr. BateyWill the Financial Secretary set up some committee to investigate this question, seeing that there is so much hardship on widows at the moment?
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIn view of the fact that from day to day Members are pressing for an investigation into the problem of old age pensions and other pensions, will the House have an opportunity of debating the matter before it rises for the Recess?
§ Mr. SpeakerI have never known Questions go so slowly.