§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That a sum, not exceeding £100,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1919, for a grant to the Interim Forestry Authority.
§ It being after Eleven of the clock, and objection being taken to further Proceeding, the Chairman left the Chair to make his Report to the House.
§ Resolution to be reported upon Monday next; Committee also report Progress; to flit again upon Monday next.
§ The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.
2452§ Whereupon Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 13th February, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."
§ Mr. BYRNETo-day at Question Time I asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it was his intention to appoint a. Committee to consider the question of increasing the weekly allowance to old age pensioners. I got an unsatisfactory answer. A few days ago I asked the Treasury representative a similar question, and at that time he said there was no reason or precedent for increasing the pensions. I reminded him on that occasion that a precedent was already established from the fact that the separation allowance had been increased.
There was also the case in regard to the pensions of the sailors and the soldiers. Since the last increase in old-age pensions there have been two awards of the Committee on Production given for the purpose of meeting the increased cost of living. Old-age pensioners are to-day worse off on their 7s. 6d. per week than in pre-war years on 5s. The Government ought immediately to take steps to increase the allowance to old-age pensioners—by 5s. at least, to make it equal in value to the payment of pre-war years.
§ Notice taken that forty Members were not present; House counted, and forty Members not being present—
§ The House was adjourned, without Question put, at Seven minutes after Eleven o'clock, till Monday next, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 13th February.