Viscountess ASTORasked the Minister of Health whether any women have been present at any of the Departmental conferences which took place and are taking place at headquarters in connection with the administration of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; how many such conferences have taken place between representatives of various branches of the Ministry of Health and how many between representatives of the Ministry of Health and representatives of other Departments; and on how many occasions has a woman official been present?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first and last parts of the question is that women have not been present at any of the conferences. As regards the second part, information is not available, as no record has been kept of the number of such conferences.
§ Mr. COMPTONasked the Minister of Health whether the wife of a totally disabled man, in receipt of 100 per cent. war pension, who was insured prior to joining the Army and made 223 contributions before enlistment, but is no longer an insured person as the approved society stopped sick benefit when he was awarded a pension, would in the event of the man's death be treated as eligible for pension under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, the wife being a weaver and paying contributions under the Act?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINA title to a widow's pension can only arise from the husband's insurance, but, on the facts as stated, it would seem that the husband may still be entitled to be treated as an insured person, and, if the hon. Member will give me particulars of the case, I will look into it.
§ Mr. SEXTONasked the Minister of Health the total number of applications received from widows without children whose husbands have died since 4th January, 1926; how many of such applicants have been dealt with up to date; in how many cases have such pensions been granted; and in how many cases have they been rejected, if any, and on what grounds?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am unable to furnish this information without a de- 1631W tailed examination of the claims received, the effect of which would be to delay award and payment of pension.
§ Mr. SEXTONasked the Minister of Health whether the practice of issuing to applicants under the provisions of the Widows' Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, an explanatory leaflet (W.P. 3) still exists; if he is aware that, if so, no reference whatever is made to the fact that widows without children whose husbands have died since 4th January are entitled to claim benefit, and are thus in ignorance of their right in many cases; and, in view of this, will he take the necessary steps to so amend the leaflet as to convey such information to applicants?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINA special leaflet—W.P. 4—which has been on issue at post offices since the beginning of the year, sets out fully the conditions on which the widows of men who die after 4th January are entitled to pensions.
§ Mr. NUTTALLasked the Minister of Health if he can state, in respect to the borough of Birkenhead, the number of applications for widows' pensions, children's allowances, and orphans' pensions, respectively, the number granted, and the number still under consideration?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe information asked for is not available, as the claims are not arranged on a territorial basis.
§ Mr. NUTTALLasked the Minister of Health the number of applications for widows' pensions, children's allowances, and orphans' pensions, respectively, the number granted, and the number still under consideration?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe total number of claims made in England, Wales and Scotland for widows' pensions (including children's allowances) and orphans' pensions is 187,000, the number of awards 127,200, and 22,500 claims are still under consideration.
§ Captain CAZALETasked the Minister of Health the number of widows and orphans who have received benefit under the 1925 Act since 4th January, stated separately?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe number of widows' pensions awarded in England, Scotland and Wales is 120,300. Orphans'1632W pensions have been awarded on 6,900 claims, most of which are in respect of one orphan.