HC Deb 20 February 1922 vol 150 cc1536-7W
Mr. W. GRAHAM

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that in the existing administration of old age pensions there is no statistical arrangement for recording the average period for which the old age pension is enjoyed, he will issue instructions that from an early date the statistics in the different localities shall be kept in such a way as to make this important information available for the public in future?

Mr. YOUNG

In view of the extra labour involved and of the need for economy, I am unable to issue the instructions suggested.

Sir W. BULL

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether voluntary gifts and allowances made by the Solicitors' Benevolent Society, and kindred institutions connected with other professions, to poor and necessitous members and their dependents are taken into consideration when assessing the means of applicants for Old Age Pensions?

Mr. YOUNG

Voluntary gifts and allowances made to claimants to Old Age Pensions are taken into account in caluhaing their means.

Major HILLS

asked the Minister of Pensions whether an Old Age Pension is subject to deduction by reason of the pensioner's wife, who is not herself an old age pensioner, receiving a pension for a son killed in the War?

Mr. YOUNG

In cases where a person is one of a married couple living together in the same house, the rate of Old Age Pension (if any) to which the person is entitled depends upon the joint means of the couple; and in calculating such means a pension for a son killed in the War has to be taken into account.

Captain BOWYER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bring in during this Session the legislation necessary to abolish the present restrictions as to means contained in the Old Age Pension Acts, so that Old Age Pensions may be granted without reduction in respect of the means of the old age pensioners from other sources; and how much he estimates that this would cost the Exchequer?

Mr. YOUNG

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Consett Division of Durham (Mr. A. Williams) on the 13th instant; in reply to the second part of the question, I would refer him to the reply given to the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Sir B. Chadwick) on 11th May last, of which I am sending him a copy.