161E.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), a person in receipt of or entitled to F960[bereaved partner’s (contributory) pension] or a person in respect of whom an increase of F961[State pension (contributory)] is payable by virtue of section 112(1) shall be disqualified for receipt of blind pension.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a person may be paid blind pension for any period during which the rate of pension payable would be greater than the rate of F962[bereaved partner’s (contributory) pension] or an increase of F961[State pension (contributory)] in respect of a qualified adult, as the case may be, payable.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), in any case where blind pension is so paid, entitlement to F963[bereaved partner’s (contributory) pension] or an increase of F961[State pension (contributory)] in respect of a qualified adult, as the case may be, shall continue but the amount of any such pension or increase payable during any such period shall not be paid to or in respect of the person.

(4) A blind person in respect of whom a pension is payable under this Chapter shall not be a qualified child for the purposes of this Act.]