§ 12. Mr. CLYNESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that old age pensioners are being informed that the acceptance of additional assistance during the War will proportionately reduce their pension; and whether, in view of the reduction in the value of the pension owing to high prices, he can take steps to give the full benefit of the pension to the aged poor, many of whose former supporters and relatives are now engaged in war services?
§ Mr. McKENNAI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn on Thursday last and to previous statements made on the same subject.
§ Mr. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman issue instructions to the pensions officers, in order to secure unanimity of practice, and so that those concerned may know that mere temporary assistance granted to them will not debar them from obtaining the full amount of their old age pensions?
§ Mr. McKENNAThat is the rule, and, so far as I am aware, there has been no 1626 departure from that rule. If the hon. Member will communicate to me any case where he knows the rule has been infringed, I shall be glad to consider it.
§ Mr. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman, in order to secure the observance of this rule, issue proper instructions?
§ Mr. McKENNAIn the absence of any information that there has been any breach of the recognised rule there can be no reason for making another rule, but if the hon. and learned Gentleman will inform me of any case in which there has been a breach, I shall be very happy to deal with it.