It is very important in that this is public money provided by this House. Many years ago, when a person, reaching the age of 100 years, received £5, the £5 note was worth something. The £5 note which was sent to such a person in 1932 is now equal to about 38/6 by present day values. Whilst everything has increased, there is no question whatever of increasing the bounty given to a person who reaches 100 years of age or the mother of triplets. They do not seem to be given any increase in the bounty.
This is the first time this matter has been raised in this House. I raise it for the purpose of putting it to the Minister for Finance who pays the Bill— it is not the President—that he should increase the bounty in relation to a person who celebrates his 100th birthday to at least £20. I feel that this is worthy of consideration by the House. Little can be purchased for a £5 note nowadays. The £5 note was quite an unusual bounty to receive 20 or 30 years ago. If a bounty is to be given to the mother of triplets or a person who celebrates his 100th birthday, it ought to be a bounty which will be appreciated. It should be of such amount that the person who receives it can buy something in the nature of a reasonably good gift. I feel that the bounty of £5 is an unreasonable one.
I raise the matter in the hope that the Minister will give consideration to increasing these bounties. In every Estimate which has gone through the House, substantial increases have been given all round except in the cases I have mentioned.