§ 73. Mr. Wilmotasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider a revision of the regulation under which half the small earnings of the husband or wife of a non-contributory old age pensioner are regarded as the income of the pensioner, in view of the hardships entailed and of the incentive thus created for the earning partner to relinquish the employment.
§ Sir J. AndersonThe rule to which my hon. Friend refers is statutory, and could not be amended without legislation. The 1518 whole future of the non-contributory pension system is now under review in connection with the social insurance scheme, and I cannot see my way to introduce legislation on this subject in advance of the wider plan.
§ Mr. WilmotWhile thanking the Chancellor for that answer, may I ask him to consider accelerating this matter as it is inflicting great hardship because pensioners of advanced age are denied pensions because of the paid domestic work which their wives are doing?
§ Sir J. AndersonI will do anything I can.