HC Deb 12 August 1919 vol 119 cc1094-7
60. Sir ROBERT NEWMAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what scale of pensions is granted by the United States of America, France, and Italy to the widows and children of men who have died in their forces during the War, and how they compare with those granted by Great Britan; and what is the scale of pensions granted to men who have been totally disabled during the War in the fighting forces of those Powers?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Colonel Sir James Craig)

I have been asked to answer this question. A Command Paper will shortly be laid on the Table, which will contain the information for which the hon. Member asks. Meanwhile, I am circulating in the Official Report the rates of the United States, France, and Italy.

The following is the statement referred to:

TABLE 1.—Pensions payable to Totally Disabled Privates by the French, Italian and United States Governments.
— FRANCE. (Law of 31st March, 1919.) ITALY. (Decree of 12th November, 1916, 20th May, 1917, October, 1918.) UNITED STATES. (Act of October, 1917, as amended up to 1st July, 1918.)
Totally disabled man—
Man … 37s. per week. (In case of several injuries this may be increased.) 19s. 4d. per week 28s. l0d. a week. (30 dolls, a month.)
Man and wife … 37s. 19s. 4d. + 4s. 5d. = 23s. 9d. 28s. l0d. + 14s. 5d. = 43s. 3d.
Man and wife and 1 child … 37s. + 4s. 7d. = 41s. 7d. 23s. 9d. + 1s. 6½d. + 2s. 3d. for child under 12 or incapable of work = 27s. 6½d. 43s. 3d. + 9s. 7d. = 52s. l0d.
Man and wife 2 children … 41s. 7d. + 4s. 7d. = 46s. 2d. 27s. 6½d. + Is. 2d. + 2s. 8d. as above = 30s. 11½d. 52s. l0d. + 9s. 7d. = 62s. 5d.
Man and wife 3 children … 46s. 2d. + 4s. 7d. = 50s. 9d. 30s. 11½d. + 9d. + 2s. 3d. as above = 33s. 11½d. 62s. 5d. + 9s. 7d. = 72s.
And for each subsequent child … 4s. 7d. (300 francs a year) for each child up to 18 years 9d. + 2s. 3d. as above = 3s. The children's pension allowance continues up to 21 years Nil.
No alternative pension No alternative pension [Where a man has lost both feet or both hands, or is totally blind, or permanently bedridden, 96s. a week, but no constant attendance allowance is granted to such a case.]
TABLE II. —Pensions payable to War Widows and Orphans by the French, Italian and United States Governments.
Widow … … 11s. 3½d. per week 9s. 7d. per week … 24s. a week. (25 dolls, a month.)
Widow and 1 child … … 11s. 3½d. + 4s. 7d. = 15s. l0½d. 9s. 7d. + 1s 6½d. = 11s. l½d. … 24s. + 9s. 7d. = 33s. 7d.
Widow 2 children … … 15s. 10½d. + 4s. 7d. = 20s. 5½d. 11s. 1½d. + 1s. 2d. = 12s. 3½d. … 33s. 7d. + 7s. 2d. = 40s. 9d.
Widow 3 children … … 20s. 5½d. + 4s. 7d. = 25s. 0½d. 12s. 3½d. + 9½d. = 13s. 1d. … 40s. 9d. + 4s. l0d. = 45s. 7d.
For each subsequent child … … 4s. 7d. for each child up to 18 years of age 9½d. for each child up to 21 … For fourth child, an additional 4s. 10d., but none for more children.
Motherless children— No alternative pension, but exceptionally favourable terms on re-marriage No alternative pension … No alternative pension.
1 child … … 11s. 3½d. (The widow's pension) 9s. 7d. (630 lire a year) … 19s. 2d.
2 children … … 11s. 3½d. + 4s. 7d. = 15s. l0½d. 9s. 7d. + 1s. 6½d= 11s. l½d. … 19s. 2d. + 9s. 7d. = 28s. 9d.
3 children … … 15s. 10½d. + 4s. 7d. = 20s. 5½d. 11s. l½d. + 1s. 2d. = 12s. 3½d. … 28s. 9d. + 9s. 7d. = 38s. 4d.
For each subsequent child … … 4s. 7d. 9½d … For fourth and fifth child, 4s. 10d. a week each, but no more.

Mr. HOGGE

Will the hon. Gentleman include Germany, as a matter of interest, in the comparison?

Sir J. CRAIG

I do not know whether that will be in the Command Paper or not.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Will the hon. Gentleman circulate, in connection with the scale of pensions, something about the cost of living in the various countries, so that we may be able to make a comparison?

Sir J. CRAIG

I think our Department have sufficient to do without inquiring into the cost of living.