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 Mr Henry Charleton Mr Henry Charleton , Leeds South

I beg to move, in page 23, lines 27 and 28, to leave out the words "or an orphan's pension."

I move this Amendment in order to bring the orphan children of workmen who meet with fatal accidents into the operation of this Bill. We on this side feel that this Bill is penalising workmen who engage in dangerous occupations, such as miners, railway men, and others, and it really means that in the case of a lad joining one of these occupations at the age of 16, who may lose his wife at about the age of 35, leaving all the children, and who may himself meet with a fatal accident afterwards, he will Have paid, perhaps, for 20 years into the Fund and not receive any benefit. If I have read aright the actuary's report, and as I understood it, this scheme will ultimately be self-supporting. I cannot quite understand that matter, for when the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced his Bill some time ago he laid emphasis on the fact that the widows and orphans would be amply provided for. It does seem to me that those who most require it will get the least benefit. For this, and the various reasons that have been given, I beg to move the Amendment, and I do not propose to delay the House any longer.