§ 69. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the hardship arising out of the final decision of his referees that a widow's pension shall cease when the recipient has been deemed guilty of breaking the insurance regulations by misconduct through cohabitation, although magistrates in a police court have decided that there was insufficient evidence of misconduct and have discharged the accused; and whether he will take steps to remedy this?
§ Sir K. WoodThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The question whether a widow is disentitled to a pension for the reason mentioned is one for my decision, with a right of appeal to the referees, whose decision is by the Act made final and conclusive. The question which comes before the court is whether the widow was guilty of fraud in attempting to obtain, or in continuing to receive, a pension to which she was not entitled.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recognise the extraordinary paradox of a woman being judged to be innocent by the court and guilty by his own officers, and in view of that fact, will he not take some steps to see that the woman who has been judged to be innocent by the court shall receive the justice to which she is entitled?
§ Sir K. WoodI am afraid the hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension. 3309 If he will kindly see me some time after questions, I shall be happy to explain the matter to him.