§ Mr. Cluseasked the Minister of Health whether, to avoid injustice to contributory pensioners, he can see his way clear to abolish the war-time restrictive provision which prevents undrawn pensions from being paid from date of entitlement and limits that payment to an arrears period of three months.
§ Mr. WillinkI am not prepared to introduce separate amending legislation on this subject whilst the general legislation required to implement the Government's scheme of national insurance is being formulated. I have, however, power to modify the application of the provision he has in mind where I am satisfied that by reason of conditions arising out of the present war there has been a reasonable excuse for not obtaining payment of a pension within the statutory period.
§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that an old age pensioner, drawing a supplementary pension allowed to earn 10s. 6d. per week in addition, is worse off financially when drawing 10s. per week from his friendly society; and if he will take steps to remove this anomaly.
§ Mr. WillinkThe treatment of friendly society sick pay is governed by the Act, but I cannot agree that there is any anomaly in the fact that a pensioner is better off when he is working than when he is not.