§ Sir R. Keyesasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the regulations governing the income limit under the Pensions (Increase) Acts of 1920 and 1924 react harshly on old pre-war pensioners; that recently the assessment of a house owned by a prewar pensioner was increased from £24 to £27 per year, and the man's pension was decreased by £3, although local rates were increased; and that recently a pre-war pensioner's wife was granted the old age contributory pension, but 6s. 8d. per week was stopped from the husband's pension owing to the £200 income limit for man and wife; and whether he will consider amending the regulations to permit of a higher limit than £200?
§ Captain CrookshankIt is a statutory condition of an increase of pension under1926W the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1920 and 1924, that the pensioner's means, including his pension, must not exceed £150 per annum if he is unmarried and £200 per annum if he is married. Legislation would therefore be necessary to increase these limits and it has been repeatedly stated by successive Governments that they cannot contemplate such legislation.