§ Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Health, whether he is aware that Mrs. McGarrigle. of 12a, George Street, Portglasgow, has been refused a pension under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, on the. ground that she is in receipt of a service dependant's pension for her stepson who was drowned in the "Hampshire" in 1916; that she brought up her stepson from seven years of age until he was called up at 18; and whether, as her right to a service pension has been acknowledged, he will consider favourably her claim to a widow's pension under the section of the Act dealing with service dependants?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have been asked to reply. In view of the payment to Mrs. McGarrigle of the service dependant's pension in respect of the death of her stepson, the award under the Contributory Pensions Act was restricted to an allowance of 5s. per week for her child. This is in accordance with Section 24 (1) of the Act which precludes the payment of double pensions except where the service pension is payable in respect of the 1599W death of a son during the late War. The Scottish Board of Health have been advised that for purposes of this Section "son" does not include "stepson."
§ Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to extend the period allowed to persons entitled to become voluntary contributors under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, or to abolish the time limit altogether?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 17th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair).