§ Mr. Fortescueasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in considering the arrangements for the special £10 payment to pensioners at Christmas, he will this time ensure that a man drawing a retirement pension at the increased rate to cover his dependent wife shall be entitled to two special payments—that is, £20—even though his wife is not yet of pensionable age.
§ Mr. DeanNo. In an operation of this kind it is necessary to have clearcut categories of persons who will benefit and the dividing line of pensionable age all round is the only one which is both equitable and practicable.
§ Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why disabled people or people who have had to retire from work due to ill health are not to 312W receive the £10 Christmas bonus to be paid to retired people; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to provide for the payment of the £10 Christmas bonus to pensioners to include those drawing invalidity benefit and widows' benefits.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take the necessary steps to include all recipients of an invalidity pension over the age of 60 years in the £10 bonus scheme for retirement pensioners.
§ Sir K. JosephPensionable age is in the Government's view the only defensible dividing line.