HC Deb 15 July 1926 vol 198 cc634-5W
Mr. H. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Health the number of men and women who are now in receipt of old age pensions as a result of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, and the number who are now drawing increased pensions as a result of the same Act.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

On the latest figures available for England, Scotland and Wales, 20,460 new old age pensions have been awarded, and 7,680 have been increased to Ws, a week, as a result of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925. It is not at present possible to show separately the awards to men and to women.

Mr. TAYLOR

asked the Minister of Health the total number of claims for widows' pensions up to the end of June, and the number of claims rejected?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The total number of claims for widows' pensions received for England, Scotland and Wales to the end of June was 200,465: 41,933 claims were rejected, and, in addition, 2,740 were withdrawn.

Mr. DUCKWORTH

asked the Minister of Health whether, in connection with the abolition of the means test under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, the words "continuously insured" are treated as meaning that the person in question must have been insured since 29th April, 1925, to the date on which he attained 70 years of age, or whether persons who were 70 before 29th April, 1925, will benefit by the removal of the means test if they were paying National Health Insurance at the time they attained this age?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The position is as stated in the latter part of the question.

Mr. GROVES

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will investigate the circumstances attending the refusal of full pension to Mrs. Blackwell, 7, Henniker Road, E.15, Case No. 3,286?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

An appeal has been made to the Minister by the pension officer against the decision given on the 3rd ultimo by the West Ham Local Pension Committee, allowing Mrs. M. A. Blackwell a pension of 4s. a week as from the 21st May last, the ground of the appeal being that no proof has been given that the claimant has attained the age of 70. The appeal will be investigated by my Department, and if it appear that the claimant has reached the statutory age for an old age pension I will carefully consider the question of the rate of pension to which she is entitled.