HC Deb 29 October 1918 vol 110 cc1271-2
18. Major NEWMAN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the case of J. Hull, Eign Hill, Tupsley, Hereford, a veteran aged ninety-one years, who served in the 44th Foot, and who has only a pension of 7s. per week and an old age pension to support him?

Mr. FORSTER

I will make inquiry into the case to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and communicate with him when I have done so.

19 and 20. Major NEWMAN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that the Government of the United States has recently increased the pensions of all the old soldiers of the Republic who have attained the age of sixty-two years by a substantial amount to meet the increase in the cost of living; whether it is the intention of the Government of the United Kingdom to act similarly towards ex-Service veterans in this country; (2) whether he is aware of the effect upon the veterans of the Crimean, Indian Mutiny, and China war by the recent increase of the cost of living and the amount of their pensions; is he aware that the majority of these men are endeavouring with their wives to exist on a pension of 1s. per diem and an old age pension of 7s. 6d. weekly or else on an old age pension alone; and whether, in order that these veterans should not be allowed to end their lives in hardship or dependent on charity, he will endeavour to obtain from the Treasury an immediate war bonus or increase of pension to meet their necessities?

Mr. FORSTER

My hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that an increase of 2s. 6d. has been made to old age pensioners during the War, and that the campaign pensions of Army veterans have been similarly increased between the ages of sixty-five and seventy. As regards any further extension, I would refer him to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Blackpool on the 22nd inst.

Major NEWMAN

Have these increased pensions been paid yet?

Mr. FORSTER

I think so. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a question I will inquire.

Colonel ASHLEY

Is my hon. Friend aware that the answer of the Chancellor of the Exchequer was quite unsatisfactory?

Mr. HOGGE

How can the hon. Gentleman give consideration to the increased cost of living in the case of old age pensions and not in the case of the Service pension referred to in this question?

Mr. FORSTER

That is a question which should be addressed to the Chancellor of the Excheqer. That is the specific point with which he dealt.