§ Sir B. FALLEasked the Minister of Health if, in the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Bill, he will consider an amendment of Section 24 of the Act of 1925 and allow the widow of a naval rating killed in action the benefit of the pension to which the husband has been obliged to contribute under the Act of 1925 and the pension granted by the Admiralty?
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§ Mr. GREENWOODConsideration was given to this question when the amending Bill was being prepared, but, in view of the difficult financial issues involved, it was decided that the question should stand over for consideration in connection with the general survey of the national insurance schemes.
§ Sir J. POWERasked the Minister of Health how many widows will not be entitled to pensions under the Bill now before Parliament?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe information desired is not available.
Mr. PALMERasked the Minister of Health how he proposes to extend the benefits of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act to those passing out of insurance in the cur rent year, either on income limits or for persons vacating insurable employment at the age of 60?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI understand the hon. Member to refer to the steps to be taken in order that an insured person, who would in the ordinary course cease to be insured during the current year in the circumstances mentioned in the question, should be retained in insurance for a further period. In the case of a per son who ceases to be entitled to remain in insurance as an employed contributor by reason of his rate of remuneration rising beyond the statutory limit, the continuance of insurance can only be secured by his electing to become a voluntary contributor. As regards the position of a person who ceases to be employed after attaining age 60, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 31st October to the hon. Member for Frome (Mr. Gould) and to my speech on the Second Reading of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill.
§ Sir R. ASKEasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to claims for pensions under the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, which were not made within the statutory period through ignorance on the part of the claimants of their actual age, and which have not been allowed from date of entitlement on that ground; and whether he will consider an Amendment of the Regulations to include ignorance of correct age amongst the exceptions, with retrospective effect?
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§ Mr. GREENWOODI am aware that cases of the kind referred to have occurred, and, while I cannot adopt the suggestion made by the hon. Member, I would point out that Clause 15 of the amending Bill proposes an extension from one month to three months of the time within which claims can be made without penalty for delay in claiming, and that in the case of a late claim the claimant should in every case receive three months' arrears of pension.