§ 48. Colonel Sir CHARLES SEELYasked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a small Committee to inquire into the position of persons in receipt of railway superannuation allowances and police pensioners who are suffering serious hardship owing to the rise in the cost of living?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs at present advised, the Government is not prepared to appoint such a Committee.
§ Mr. LEIF JONESDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise the very great hardship suffered by numbers of these people who have subscribed to these funds, and that nearly all the other pensioners have been dealt with?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes; but the funds referred to do not come under the Government. I do not think that at present there is any necessity for appointing such a Committee.
§ Sir C. SEELYDoes not the Government take the extra profits on the railways, and were we not told yesterday by the President of the Board of Trade that they were considerable? Therefore, the funds from which they can be assisted 1635 really do come under the Government. Another point is that these funds are now controlled by the Government and the Government are using them.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill the right hon. Gentleman not consider the case of war pensioners, and that they are as of great importance as the shareholders in statutory companies?