§ 11. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that an old-age pensioner of 88 years of age has been denied a pension because, as a result of 60 years work on a small allotment, he has saved £2,300 on which the Act assumes he receives a 10 per cent. income, though it is invested in 3½ per cent. War Loan; and if he will introduce amending legislation to eliminate this means test on thrifty, elderly people.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAs my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, this noncontributory old-age pension is an obsolescent provision, and it is not possible to amend it at this late stage. I should add, however, that it does not make the assumption as to interest which my hon. Friend suggests.