§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if any additional group of people have been included in the Christmas bonus payments in 1978; and if he will give special consideration to pensioners where, although the spouse is under pension age, the pensioner is well over 70 years of age and whose condition prevents the spouse from taking up employment.
§ Mr. OrmeThe Pensioners Payments Bill, which was published on 3rd November, provides for the bonus to be paid this year to the same categories of beneficiaries who received it last year.
378WApart from the question of the additional cost, administrative difficulties preclude payment of the bonus to the dependent wives under 60 of retirement pensioners, unless they are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits.