Mr. McNeilasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether since the recent decision of the Court of Session considerably extends the scope of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1936, he will automatically have reviewed all claims by widows for pensions rejected on the grounds that husbands did not within three years of their death follow a qualifying employ-
1334W
Deaths from Diphtheria in Paisley 1920–42. — Total. Age Groups. Under 1 year. 1 and under 5. 5 and under 10. 10 and under 15. 15 and under 25. 25 and under 35. 35 and under 45. 1920 9 3 5 1 — — — — 1921 6 1 3 1 — — — 1 1922 3 — 2 1 — — — — 1923 8 2 2 4 — — — — 1924 6 — 5 — 1 — — — 1925 4 — 3 1 — — — — 1926 5 — 5 — — — — — 1927 14 — 8 5 1 — — — 1928 12 — 5 5 2 — — — 1929 4 1 2 1 — — — — 1930 8 2 4 2 — — — — 1931 3 — 2 — — 1 — — 1932 6 — 4 2 — — — — 1933 8 — 5 3 — — — — 1934 13 1 9 3 — — — — 1935 9 1 3 5 — — — — 1936 11 — 5 4 1 1 — — 1937 26 — 11 12 2 1 — — 1938 23 1 10 11 1 — — — 1939 21 2 10 8 1 — — — 1940 37 2 16 13 4 2 — — 1941 21 1 8 8 1 1 1 1 1942 6 1 4 1 — — — — ment, or whether he will publicly invite all widows believing themselves to fall within this category to make fresh application?
Mr. JohnstonThis decision does not extend to any considerable degree the category of persons within the scope of the statutes governing the award of widows' and other pensions. The decision affects only certain employed persons whose relationship to the person employing them is that of an independent contractor. It is unfortunately not possible to identify claims previously rejected which might now succeed, as many of the relative papers have been destroyed. But the Department of Health, Grassmarket, Edinburgh I, will be glad to hear from any widow in Scotland who believes herself to be affected by the decision.