§ 31. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is prepared to disregard any part of a parent's earnings in assessing income for the purpose of awarding parents' pensions.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions (Mr. Blenkinsop)Yes, Sir. As from 5th July next the first 20S. of a parent's earnings will be disregarded. Cases where a pension is in payment will be reviewed without application and any increase admissible will be paid. As between 40 and 50 thousand cases are involved this review will naturally take some time. Where pension has been refused on the ground that need does not exist application will be necessary.
§ Mr. CollinsWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, which seems a more 1120 substantial contribution than the usual weekly one, may I ask him if it means that earnings will be disregarded only where they do not exceed 20s. a week? Can he also say whether his reply means that there is a considerable increase in the number of parents receiving pensions for the first time?
§ Mr. BlenkinsopTo deal with the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, it means that in the past only earnings which did not exceed 20S. were disregarded but, in future, whatever the earnings may be, the first 20S. will be disregarded. To deal with his second supplementary point, I hope that this will mean an improvement for a large number of parents and that, in particular, it will benefit many widowed parents who are earning small sums in part-time employment.