HC Deb 22 December 1919 vol 123 cc1026-8W
Mr. G. THORNE

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that instructions have been issued to all post offices that old age pensions due on Boxing Day will not be paid until Monday, 29th December,;— whether, in view of the hardship this delay will cause to old age pensioners, he will give directions cancelling this notice and providing for the payment of such pension on 24th December?

Mr. N. MACLEAN

asked the Postmaster-General whether old age pensioners whose pensions are due to be paid on Boxing Day are not to be paid until Monday, 29th December; and whether he can see his way to issue instructions to have them paid on Tuesday, 23rd December, and thereby give these old people a chance of having some money with which to enjoy Christmas?

Mr. PEASE

Arrangements have now been made for old age pensions due on Friday, the 26th instant, to be paid today, to-morrow, and on. Wednesday, the 24th instant.

Mr. A. DAVIES (Clitheroe)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the Commission appointed to inquire into old age pensions are unanimous in recommending that any relief granted by Poor Law guardians to old age pensioners shall not be deemed a disqualification for the receipt of such pensions, he will take steps to put this portion of the Report of the Commission into immediate operation, as there is likely to be much suffering this coming winter amongst a great number of old age pensioners owing to high prices?

Mr. BALDWIN

I would refer my hon. Friend to the provisions of Clause 3 of the Old Age Pensions Bill, which was introduced on Friday last.

Mr. T. DAVIES

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the high cost of living, he will adopt the unanimous recommendation of the recent Old Age Pensions Committee to allow persons in. receipt of Poor Law relief to also receive the old age pension?

Mr. BALDWIN

The recommendation only applies to outdoor relief. It has been embodied in the Old Age Pensions Bill, which has now passed the House of Commons.

Brigadier-General SURTEES

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a decision has yet been reached on the question as to whether relief granted by guardians shall not be deemed a disqualification for old ago pensions; and, if not so reached, whether he is prepared to say when an announcement may be expected?

Mr. BALDWIN

I would refer my hon. Friend to the provisions of Clause 3 of the Old Age Pensions Bill which was introduced on Friday last.

Lord H. CAVENDISH - BENTINCK

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state on what grounds the old age pension has been withdrawn from Mrs. Glover, of 38, College Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, a widow of eighty-one, whose sole means of support, in addition to her pension, is a voluntary allowance made by her son of 6s. to 7s. a week?

Mr. BALDWIN

No action has been taken for reduction or revocation of Mrs. Glover's old age pension. There was some slight delay over the issue of a fresh pension book for the current half-year owing to the fact that the means were under reinvestigation, but the new book has now been delivered.