§ Sir P. GOFFasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that if a man is dismissed on reaching the age of 65 and has the old age pension, his wife if she is not then 65 gets no pension, and their joint income is reduced to 10s. per week until she attains the age of 65; and whether he can suggest a mode of redress for this hardship?
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:A wife who is not herself insured derives her pension from her husband's insurance, and is, therefore, not entitled to an old age pension at an earlier age than he is. The position is as stated if it is assumed that the man remains out of work until his wife reaches the age of 65, and that they have no other source of income. There is nothing in the Contributory Pensions Act which requires a pensioner to refrain from seeking employment.