19. Mr. WATSONasked the Pensions Minister whether it has yet been decided to augment the pensions of sailors and soldiers who have served in previous wars?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Barnes)The matter referred to in the hon. Member's question presents considerable difficulties and has not yet been decided. I am consulting my statutory advisers with regard to it.
Mr. WATSONMay we take it that so far as is within his power the right hon. Gentleman is treating this as an urgent matter, as it really is?
§ Mr. BARNESYes, I can assure the hon. Member that is so.
§ Mr. HOGGEWhat is the difficulty in the way of the Pensions Ministry giving a man who has lost his right arm in the Boer War the same pension as a man who has lost his right arm in this War?
§ Mr. BARNESThe difficulty is that under the Royal Warrant you cannot treat the Boer man apart from other men.