§ 50. Mr. Gordon Macdonaldasked the Prime Minister the form and the scope of 1939 the investigation into old age pensions; and with whom it is intended to have consultations?
§ 48. Mr. Thorneasked the Prime Minister what are the terms of reference and the names of the committee of inquiry in connection with old age pensions?
§ 51. Mr. Bateyasked the Prime Minister whether, when the Government are considering the old age pensions, they will also take into consideration the removal of the anomaly which prevents a married woman from receiving the pension at the same time as her husband?
§ 53. Mr. Tinkerasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement before the Recess on what lines he intends to proceed to make the investigation into the question of revising the Old Age Pensions Acts?
§ 54. Mr. Lipsonasked the Prime Minister whether he will make the inquiry into old age pensions wide enough to consider questions such as meeting the cost of an increase in the old age pensions to those whose sole income is the old age pension by a tax on betting, thus avoiding an additional burden on industry for this purpose?
§ The Prime MinisterI will, with the hon. Members' permission, answer these questions together.
§ Mr. BateyOn a point of Order. When Members put a question on the Order Paper they desire to get an answer, and not have it bundled together with other questions upon which a general answer is given. I want to submit that my question raises a different point from those raised in the other questions, and I want to have an answer to my question. Is it not the case that hon. Members are entitled to have their question answered, instead of it being bundled together with others and a general answer given?
Mr. SpeakerIt is rather a waste of the time of the House in answering separately questions which relate to the same matter. Perhaps the hon. Member will find his question is dealt with in the answer.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I stated on Thursday, the investigation into the practicability of an extension or improve- 1940 ment of the present system of old age pensions will be undertaken by the Government, and the Government as a whole will take responsibility for the results. No formal terms of reference are, therefore, necessary. The question raised by the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey) will be taken into account.
§ Mr. G. MacdonaldMay I ask whether, in dealing with the scope of the investigation, all the anomalies at present in the Old Age Pensions Act will be considered? Furthermore, should the Government meet with any difficulty as regards the employers' attitude to this question and their reluctance to agree, will that cause the Government not to go forward with this proposal?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot say what the result of the inquiry may be, but certainly what I have in contemplation is a general inquiry which will take into account all the anomalies.
§ Mr. LipsonMay I ask whether the matter raised in my question will be considered?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I do not think that is a part of the investigation.
§ Mr. TinkerMay I ask whether in these investigations the Prime Minister, before coming to a decision, will consult with the representatives of the old age pensioners who have formed several unions?
§ The Prime MinisterI will take that into consideration.
§ Mr. Pethick-LawrenceWill the Prime Minister consider the case, which is often forgotten, of the wife who becomes 65 before her husband reaches that age?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Prime Minister aware that the old folks want a 10s. increase in their pensions, and that they will not stop their campaign until they get it?
§ Sir P. HarrisIs a separate committee to be appointed, and, if so, will the Prime Minister publish the names; or is it to be a committee of the Cabinet?
§ The Prime MinisterI did not say anything about a committee. I did not mention the word. I said the Government would make an investigation and take the responsibility. It is not customary to give particulars about Cabinet Committees.