§ Mr. E. BROWNasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of persons estimated to be disqualified from receiving an old age pension at 70 years of age because of the means disqualification; and the estimated cost of abolishing it for all persons over 70 in England and Wales?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question yesterday on the same subject.
Captain BENNETTasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Matthews, of 12, Havelock Street, Cardiff, a widow aged 84, who for the last 14 years has been unable, from failure of memory, to furnish proof of the date of her birth, but has at length succeeded in producing satisfactory evidence from a marriage certificate; and whether, in view of the absence of any assistance whatever being rendered by the authorities to Mrs. Matthews in the matter of securing valid evidence, he can see his way to make an ex gratia grant to cover some portion of the arrears which would normally have accrued to this applicant?
1524W
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEMy attention has not been drawn to this case, but I am now causing inquiry to be made and will inform the hon. Member of the result.
Mr. GRAHAM - WHITEasked the Minister of Health if, when considering applications for contributory old age pensions at the age of 65, he will accept as evidence of age the evidence on which the Ministry of Labour act in disallowing unemployment benefit, so that unnecessary delay and hardship may be avoided?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI would refer the hon. Member to the reply by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to his question on 16th July on this subject.