HC Deb 25 February 1924 vol 170 cc94-5W
Mr. MARCH

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will at an early date make an announcement as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the desirability to reduce the age at which the old age pension is payable and the removal of the handicaps upon thrift imposed by the present Regulations?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

As has already been announced, the Government intend to introduce legislation to amend the Old Age Pensions Acts, and I must ask my hon. Friend to await its introduction. There will be no undue delay.

Mr. C. WILSON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to supply to the Members of the House a full statement as to the amount of, and conditions under which, invalid and old age pensions are granted in the Dominions?

Mr. GRAHAM

I am consulting the Secretary of State for the Colonies as to whether the information asked for is available or easily obtainable.

Mr. KEENS

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain pensions officers take into account as means of applicants for old age pensions presumed profits from allotment ground occupied by them, while in the districts of other pension officers the occupation of an allotment by an applicant for an old age pension is not taken into account at all; whether he will take steps to ensure uniformity in the future; whether he has had communications from the Bucks Pensions Committee; whether these communications have been referred to the Customs and Excise Board; whether he is aware that no replies have been received to such communications; and whether he will take steps to ensure that communications from responsible bodies shall receive due attention in the future?

Mr. GRAHAM

I am advised that the Old Age Pensions Acts require the value of any profit or benefit derived from the working of an allotment to be taken into account in calculating means for old age pension purposes, and under their existing instructions pension officers should include in the calculation of means any such profit or benefit which comes to their knowledge. I am making inquiry in regard to the last four parts of the question and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.