§ Mr. DOBBIEasked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the requests made that the Government should amend Section 7 (c) of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, to enable the wife of an insured person not 65 years of age to commence drawing her old age pension simultaneously with her husband, provided that the wife is not less than 55 years of age, that five years have elapsed since marriage, and the husband has ceased remunerative employment; and whether he will promote legislation to give effect to this proposal?
Sir H. YOUNGI have considered the representations, but the financial and other difficulties involved in the proposal are such as to render it impracticable in present circumstances.
§ Mr. LEONARDasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in assessing the income from investments of applicants for old age pensions, he is prepared to modify the figures of 5 per cent. on capital up to £375 and 10 per cent. on sums in excess of that figure and bring them into conformity with rates of interest now generally enjoyed from Government stock or, alternatively, the actual return on the investments?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 22nd February to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Dorset (Mr. Hall-Caine).