§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health whether he has considered resolutions from the Warrington Town Council and the West Ham County Borough asking that, in view of the heavy and increasing rate burden of blind welfare services, representations be made to His Majesty's Government for early legislation to amend the Blind Persons Act, 1938, with a view to pensions for blind persons being granted at 21 years of age, and the amount of pension being increased from 10s. to 20s. per week, irrespective of means or other income; and whether he proposes to take affirmative action on the matter?
§ Mr. ElliotI do not contemplate introducing legislation to amend the Blind Persons Acts. The pension for which a blind person becomes eligible on attaining the age of 40 is payable under the Old Age Pensions Act, 1936, and, as has already been announced, the Government are undertaking an investigation into the practicability of an extension or improvement of the present system of old age pensions.