Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Health whether there is any prospect of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act being extended to enable classes of workers at present uninsured to become insured for the purpose of pensions?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI would refer to the reply given to a question asked by the hon. Member for Berwick and Haddington (Mr. Sinkinson) on 18th instant.
§ Major COHENasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. M. I. Parnell, of 6, Clifford Street, Newport, Isle of Wight; whether he is aware that in this case, although the late husband had paid 104 contributions since his last entry into insurance, pension is refused to the widow under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act on the ground that 104 weeks had not 1552W elapsed from the date of the last entry into insurance; is he aware that the late Mr. Parnell died on the Saturday at the end of the 104th week, and that, had he lived until the Sunday, he would have fulfilled the requirements of the Act; and is he prepared to award a pension in this case as the requirements of the Act have been fulfilled as regards contributions, and 104 working weeks had elapsed since the last entry into insurance, although the last day of the week is considered to be Sunday under the Act?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am aware of the facts of this case, but I have no power to award a pension where the statutory conditions laid down in the Act are not satisfied.