§ Mr. RAFFANasked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether, in consequence of the increased contributions of workmen to the State in payment of Income Tax on wages, the Treasury will so alter the rules and regulations governing old age pensions that all present pensioners not benefited by other concessions shall receive the 2s. 6d. per week extra without further investigation, seeing that all previous concessions are based on the rising cost of living which penalises all alike; and is he aware that all present pensioners have been subjected to a strict scrutiny as to means before receiving their present pension and by regulation have to report any increase of income?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am aware of the facts referred to in the last part of the question; as regards the first part I would refer to the reply which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for the Houghton-le-Spring Division.