HC Deb 13 February 1922 vol 150 cc629-30W
Mr. KENNEDY

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that old claim forms are still being issued to applicants for old-age pensions which are obsolete, and recite disqualifications and other matters therein which were removed by more recent legislation; whether new forms have yet been issued in accordance with the Act passed in 1919; and, if so, whether he will issue instructions for the withdrawal of all old claim forms, and consider the possibility of issuing a summary of the Act to all claimants on application for pension?

Mr. YOUNG

New old-age pension claim forms were issued in January, and instructions for the withdrawal of old forms were then given. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Raffan) on the 10th June, 1920. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this reply.

Mr. A. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes in the present Session to introduce legislation abolishing those restrictions with regard to old-age pensions which at present act as penalties on thrift?

Mr. YOUNG

His Majesty's Government are not prepared to re-open the settlement embodied in the Old Age Pensions Act passed in December, 1919. As regards the specific points referred to in the question, I would refer to the full statement which my right hon. Friend made in this House on 11th May, 1921.