Colonel Sandeman Allenasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a woman who marries a retired police officer is not allowed to continue in National Health Insurance or to be a voluntary contributor under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; and, as she is not eligible for any pension under the Police Pensions Act, 1921, does he propose to introduce amending legislation to correct this anomaly?
§ Sir K. Wood:A woman who marries a retired police officer is in the same position, so far as her title to continue in insurance is concerned, as any other insured woman who marries. Assuming that she does not remain in insurable employment after marriage, she cannot become a voluntary contributor under the National Health Insurance Act, which excludes all married women from voluntary insurance: but she is entitled, subject to the usual conditions, to become a voluntary contributor under the Contributory Pensions Act, and such insurance will qualify her for an old age pension at the age of 65.