HC Deb 15 December 1938 vol 342 cc2161-2
35 and 36. Mr. Tomlinson

asked the Minister of Health (1) why the pension of 8s. per week paid to Arthur Sterratt, of 4, Harrowby Lane, Farnworth, for many years has been discontinued, seeing that there has been no change in the circumstances under which it was awarded;

(2) whether he is aware of the fact that, since the passing of the Blind Persons Act, 1938, persons who had previously been in receipt of pensions have been informed that they were no longer eligible to receive them and have been deprived thereof; and will he take steps to see that such pensions are restored?

Mr. Elliot

The particular case mentioned by the hon. Member and, I presume, the other cases which he has in mind are those of certain blind workshop employès concerning whom it has recently been decided that the amounts received by them by way of augmentation of wages must be treated as earnings for the purposes of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1936, and, in consequence, that their yearly means exceeded the statutory limit for the receipt of a pension. This decision follows upon legal advice which I have received in relation to the relevant provisions of that Act and is not a result of the Blind Persons Act, 1938.

Mr. Tomlinson

Can the Minister inform us upon whose interpretation the Act has been worked hitherto? Was it the same Minister?

Mr. Elliot

I cannot say without notice.

Mr. Tomlinson

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to implement his promise made when the Blind Persons Act was going through the House that no blind person would suffer as a consequence of the passage of the Act?

Mr. Elliot

Certainly. It is not a consequence of the passage of that Act. It is the interpretation of the Act of 1936.

Mr. Tomlinson

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how it is that until the Act was passed and other people were brought in, this interpretation had never been applied; and will he also explain how it is that the earnings of a home which are made up from the same sources are not treated as earned income?

Mr. Elliot

That is, obviously, impossible by way of question and answer.

Mr. Tomlinson

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

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