PARLIAMENTARY DAY

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26265, 9 November 1950, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY DAY

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON. November 9. When the House of Representatives adjourned at 12.5 a.m. to-day. after the first midnight sitting for nearly two w’eeks, it had passed three bills'. They were the War Pensions Amendment Bill, the War Pensions and Allowances (Mercantile Marine) Amendment Bill, and the Social Security Amendment Bill. The Medical Practitioners’ Bill was still in the committee stages when the House rose. An Opposition attempt' to have the second reading of the Mercantile Marine Pensions Bill deferred for 14 days so that the Government could investigate proposals for increasing pensions by 5s a week instead of 2s Cd. was defeated by 37 votes to 26. The bill, which increases by 2s 6d a week as from May 8 the mother’s allowance payable to widows of members of the Mercantile Marine and the pensions payable to wives of members in respect of disablement or detention. was later passed without amendment, as was the War Pensions Amendment Bill. This bill increases the rates of certain war pensions and allowances by 2s 6d a week frdm May 8. and also the allowable income of •war veterans.

The Social Security Amendment Bill passed the committee stages without undue opposition. It increases the rates of certain social security benefits, and also the allowable income and capital of certain beneficiaries.

The Medical Practitioners’ Bill is a consolidation with amendments of the Medical Practitioners’ Act. 1914 and amendments. • When it reached the committee stages. Mr M. Moohan (Opposition. Petone) claimed that doctors were now charging. 10s 6d for each consultation instead of 7s 6d. under an agreement between the Government and the British Medical Association. This was denied by the Minister of Health (Mr J. T, Watts), who said he would investigate Mr Moohan’s charge.

For nearly three hours yesterday afternoon the House discussed Ministerial replies to ’ members’ questions. There were 43 replies on the two supplementary order papers, and the subjects discussed included the cost of living. State housing, sediment in cheese, and fresh food for the crews of the New Zealand frigates serving in Korean waters.