§ Mr. LEES SMITHasked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he would take steps to transfer political pensions from the Consolidated Fund to the Supply Services in order that, like almost all other pensions, they might be open to the review of the House of Commons?
§ Mr. MacNEILLBefore the Prime Minister replies, may I ask whether political pensions, including the pension of Lord Balfour of Burleigh, will come under the condition of Lord Balfour of Burleigh's Referendum Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe pensions in question are charged upon and payable out of the Consolidated Fund under Section 8 of the Act 32 and 33 Vict. c. 60, and their transfer to moneys provided by Parliament could only be effected by legislation, which I do not see my way at present to propose.
§ Mr. LEES SMITHIs there any reason why the pensions of admirals, generals, and working-class old age pensioners should be subject to annual review in this House, while we are precluded on all normal occasions from discussing these very unpopular political pensions?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is a debatable question, upon which I have my own opinion.