§ Sir C. Edwardsasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a means test is applied to any pensioners 246W except old age and contributory pensioners?
§ Mr. AsshetonYes, Sir. There are certain classes of case in which pensions or allowances, for example, to dependants of persons who have died or been disabled after service in the Armed Forces or in other circumstances in which the State accepts responsibility, are payable on a discretionary basis, and where the need or means of the applicant are among the factors taken into account. My hon. Friend no doubt appreciates that no means test is applied to a contributory pensioner unless he applies for a supplementary pension.