HC Deb 06 July 1950 vol 477 cc620-1
5. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that Mrs. Harriet Pitt, High Holm Court, Louth, who worked for 30 years for the Stoke-on-Trent Education Authority and was granted a pension of 10s. a week has now, at the age of 84 years, had the pension stopped on the grounds of economy; and, in view of the correspondence sent to him, if he will restore the pension.

Mr. Bevan

I have informed the council that if, having had regard to the increased social security payments now available, they wish to continue to pay the 10s. a week to Mrs. Pitt, I am prepared to give the necessary sanction under Section 228 of the Local Government Act, 1933.

Mr. Osborne

On behalf of the old lady, may I thank the right hon. Gentleman for treating her properly?

Mr. A. Edward Davies

In justice to the local authority, may I ask whether they were not statutorily bound to wind up this payment? This happened not because they desired this parsimony, but because they had to do it.

Mr. Bevan

Yes, it is a fact that the local authority were restricted by two Acts of Parliament passed before the war to limit the payment to two years, and they had to obtain my permission to extend it.