56. Mr. Vyvyan Adamsasked the Minister of Health whether he will seek powers so to amend the Widows' Pensions Act, as to enable the death of a husband to be presumed for the purposes of widows' pensions when nothing has been heard of his existence or wherabouts for a period of time, say seven years or longer?
§ Sir K. WoodNo amendment of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act is necessary in order to enable the death of a man to be presumed in the circumstances referred to by my hon. Friend, but presumption of death would not in itself be sufficient to establish title to a widow's pension. It would also be necessary to establish that the husband satisfied the requirements of the Act as to insurance and payment of contributions.
§ Mr. McEnteeIs it not reasonable to assume that if a man is in an insurable trade, he is, in fact, insured?
§ Sir K. WoodYes, but there is the question of the period as well.
Mr. V. Adams. Supposing these conditons are satisfied, how long a period of absence is necessary before death is presumed?
§ Sir K. WoodI should have to know the individual case. I do not think one can make a general reply to a question of that character.
§ Mr. Benjamin SmithHaving regard to the fact that hardship may be caused to the widow, would it not be as well that some sympathetic consideration should be given to this question with a view to getting a widow a pension, unless on the grounds of making certain that a man himself was insured?
§ Sir K. WoodCertainly, and my Department does help whenever it can to establish such cases.
Mr. V. AdamsWill my right hon. Friend consider sympathetically the specific case which I am now submitting to him?
§ Sir K. WoodCertainly.