§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many orphans in attendance at secondary schools and similar institutions are 1983W forced by circumstances to terminate their courses at the 31st July following their 16th birthday because the payment of the orphans' pension ceases at that date; and will he consider introducing at an early date an amending Clause to the Pensions Act extending the duration of the orphans' pension to meet cases where the children would remain under instruction after the 31st July following their 16th birthday?
§ Mr. ElliotRepresentations have already been made to me regarding this matter. Under the original Contributory Pensions Act of 1925 the date up to which payment of an allowance or orphan's pension was continued in the case of a child who remained at school after reaching the age of 14 was the 16th birthday. This provision was amended by the Act of 1929, which extended payment to the 31st July next following the 16th birthday, that being the normal date of the end of the school year in the case of secondary schools. This amendment removed any hardship in the normal case, but the hon. Member's suggestion that the duration of the allowance or orphan's pension should be further extended to meet cases where the child remains at school after the 31st July next following his 16th birthday has been noted for consideration when any amending legislation is contemplated.