§ Sir L. LYLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Poor Law nursing assistance of a weekly value of above 15s. given to aged pensioners will be reckoned as income for the purpose of reducing the old age pension paid?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI assume that the hon. Member is referring to nursing assistance given outside a Poor Law institution. If this be so, the position under the Old Age Pensions Bill will be that a person who has no earnings will not be debarred from receiving the maximum old age pension of 10s. a week unless his or her total means, including the value of any Poor Law nursing assistance, exceed 25s. a week.
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are to be taken to expedite the receipt of the benefits conferred by the Old Age Pensions Bill on old age pensioners; and whether payments due on proof of right of claim will be paid retrospectively if there is any delay in settling entitlement?
§ Mr. SNOWDENA leaflet explaining the effect of the Old Age Pensions Bill and how to claim an old age pension will be available at Post Offices and Customs and Excise Offices as soon as possible after the Bill has become law. Another 1907W leaflet similarly explaining the effect of the Bill and how to apply for an increase of pension will be sent to all existing pensioners whose rate of pension is less than the maximum of 10s. a week, together with a form of application for increase of pension. As regards the second part of the question, the date from which a new or increased pension becomes payable never depends upon the time taken in arriving at a decision on the claim but, generally speaking, is fixed by reference to the date of receipt of the claim by the pension officer.