§ 77. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a referee has recently decided that a nurse, a British subject whose home is in Great Britain, serving with a British unit of His Majesty's Forces in India for some years, is not entitled on her return to this country to become a voluntary contributor under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions (Voluntary Contributors) Act, 1937, because she had not been resident in Great Britain for a period of not less than 10 years immediately before her notice to join tie scheme; and will he amend the law in order to avoid excluding certain members of His Majesty's Forces now serving overseas from this scheme when they return home at the close of the war?
§ Mr. ElliotI am aware of the decision to which the hon. Member refers. It is only in exceptional cases that service abroad as a member of His Majesty's Forces results in disqualification for voluntary pensions insurance, but I will certainly consider the hon. Member's suggestion for dealing with such cases.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think it grossly unfair that a nurse serving with a British unit in India is penalised in this way, and will he be good enough to reopen the case?
§ Mr. ElliotI cannot have made myself clear to the hon. Member. I said I would certainly consider his suggestion.