§ 25. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will propose making the £10 Christmas bonus available to the disabled.
§ Mr. DeanThe special payment of £10 will be made to disabled persons who are over pensionable age and are in receipt of a retirement pension or other qualifying benefit. As I explained to the House during the Committee stage of the Pensioners' Payments and National Insurance Bill on 19th October, the dividing line of pensionable age is the only one which is both equitable and practicable.
§ 41. Mr. Fortescueasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will reconsider his decision that the reaching of a given birthday is the only practicable and equitable criterion for eligibility for the £10 Christmas bonus.
§ Mr. DeanNo. For reasons which I explained to the House during the Committee stage of the Pensioners' Payments and National Insurance Bill on 19th October, I am not able to do as my hon. Friend asks.
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§ Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the additional cost of including retirement pensioners, whose wives are less than 60 years of age, as eligible for a £10 Christmas bonus.