Orders of the Day — Contributory Pensions Bill.

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am ar 15 Gorffennaf 1925.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy , Kingston upon Hull Central

The explanation of the hon. Gentleman reminds me of the story of the Turkish commander who, when asked for reasons why he did not fire the salute, said that there were fifty reasons. The first was that he had no gunpowder. The hon. Gentleman has given us no reasons at all except the first one, namely, that this proposal is enshrined in the National Health Insurance Act, and therefore the Government intend to carry on the same principle here. The usual objection to Amendments on this side is the question of cash. I would ask whether the Government have any figures or statistics showing what the cost of carrying out this suggestion would be. My impression is that there are not very many cases, and that the amount would not be very great, in view of the Government Amendment to be discussed later. The right hon. Gentleman has met us part of the way. He is prepared to bring the weekly payment up to pension level; he has recognised that there is some justice in the Amendment. I do not know whether he has figures as to what the Government Amendment would cost, or what would be the cost of the proposal in the Amendment we are discussing. I venture to say that in any case the amount is not very great.

I cannot understand why the Government do not propose to touch the widow's pension at all, but propose to make a cut in the child's allowance. What is the logic of that? A widow in good health can earn money. The child cannot, and is the most helpless beneficiary under the Bill. The Parliamentary Secretary referred to what was done under the National Health Insurance Act. But we have gone forward since then. This Bill is part of the tribute that is being paid in order to keep the people contented with the present system. The people are asking for more, and you cannot hide from that fact. What was considered just in 1911 would not be considered just now. Fourteen years have passed, and there has been a War during that time. If the people were told of this proposal to dock the children's allowances, they would give an enormous majority against the Government, even if they had to pay a little more in taxes. The Government know that, and they could well justify carrying concession a little further by not touching the children's allowances at all.