Mr. Palmerasked the Minister of Health whether he can devise some method of bringing within the scope of the new voluntary pensions scheme persons who would have qualified for inclusion but for the fact that they have been absent from this country as wives of British soldiers stationed in overseas parts of the British Empire?
§ Mr. ElliotI am afraid that I could not undertake to introduce amending legislation for the purpose of giving preferential treatment to particular applicants for admission to the new voluntary pensions scheme, but I would point out that absence abroad in the circumstances indicated in the question would not necessarily render the applicant ineligible for admission. The question of eligibility depends upon the facts of the particular case.
§ Mr. Liddallasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the extensive demand, he is prepared to introduce legislation which will enable persons whose salaries do not exceed£500 per annum to be eligible for all benefits under the Contributory Pensions Act?
§ Sir J. SimonNo, Sir. The Government are not prepared to introduce such legislation.