HC Deb 01 April 1925 vol 182 cc1327-8W
Mr. BROAD

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is aware that the majority of local authorities, railway companies, Government Departments, and other large bodies of employers in the country provide in their superannuation schemes for the retirement of their employés at the age of 65 years; that most of such employers, and particularly the Government Departments, insist on the automatic discharge of their unpensionable workers at the age of 65; and whether, in view of the facts, he will take steps to amend the Old Age Pensions Act, so as to enable these and other old workers to receive the old age pension at 65 years of age;

(2) whether he has considered the desirability of giving further relief to old age pensioners and claimants by eliminating the present thrift disqualification Clause, or at least raising the limit to the amount of income which is assessable for Income Tax; and whether he is prepared to take steps in this direction during the present Session;

(3) whether he has considered the desirability of making provision for pensioning persons who are totally incapacitated by paralysis, loss of limbs, deaf mutes, etc., apart from those causes attributable to the War, as is now provided in the case of blindness; and whether he is prepared to take steps in this direction during the present Session?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I cannot add anything to the indication of the Government's policy in regard to these questions which has already been given by the Prime Minister.