§ 25. Mr. BOWERMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a communication from the London local pension committee suggesting that the pension of every old age pensioner should be increased by 1s. a week during the remaining period of the War; and, if so, whether the communication has been considered and with what result?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part of the question, I fear I can add nothing to the reply on this subject which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the Tottenham Division on the 20th ultimo.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the purchasing power of the pension paid to pensioners is reduced by about 30 per cent.?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI am afraid that is so, but, unfortunately, if we were to reconstruct all these payments upon that basis it would be a very serious addition to the burdens of the country.
§ Mr. THORNEBut is it not a serious position for the old age pensioners?