WITHOUT PENSIONS SIR,—Much has been said, in recent discussions on
platforms and in the press, about the needs of old-age pensioners, but not a word has been uttered about the greater needs of the old people who were ex- cluded from insurance by the Labour Government in 1948 because they were too old.
Few people seem to be aware that, as the result of that exclusion, these old people are denied re- tirement pensions, widows' pensions, burial allow- ance, unemployment pay, sickness benefit, cheap seats in cinemas and at municipal concerts and lectures, free or cheap transport in some areas and other benefits. They arc virtually outcasts. The only benefit which they receive is medical benefit. All the men in this category are now over eighty-one years of age and the women over seventy-six. Some of them are compelled to continue at work.
It appears to be the intention of the Conservative Party to award increased pensions to pensioners over seventy-five years of age. As the increased pensions are to be given in respect• of age, not in respect of contributions, it is to be hoped that they will be given to all persons over seventy-five. The exclusion of the aged non-pensioners from this benefit would be an intolerable denial of justice.
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