(1)For subsection (1) of section 4 of the [1948 c. 36.] House of Commons Members' Fund Act 1948 (payments for alleviating special hardship in the case of persons who have been members of the House of Commons or their widows, widowers or orphan children) there shall be substituted—
“(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, the trustees may cause to be made out of sums appropriated for the purposes of this section or the income thereof such periodical or other payments to or in respect of—
(a)persons who have been members of the House of Commons whether before or after the passing of the principal Act; or
(b)the widows, widowers or orphan children of such persons,
as the trustees think fit having regard to the circumstances of the persons to or in respect of whom the payments are to be made.”
(2)In subsection (2) of that section the words “except paragraph 5 of that Schedule” and “subject to the provisions of the said paragraph 5” are hereby repealed.