50. Major GREAMEasked the Prime Minister whether, in order to relieve distress in the winter months, the Government will carry out the recommendation of the Departmental Committee on Old Age Pensions that outdoor relief or home assistance should not be a disqualification for the receipt of a pension?
§ 57. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the straits to which many old age pensioners are reduced owing to the high cost of living; and whether the Government can now state their policy with regard to an increase of pensions to these deserving persons?
§ THE PRIME MINISTEROwing to the important international conferences held in London during the past week the Government have not been able to give the necessary consideration to this question, and as the decision may involve heavy additional burdens on the taxpayer, it has to be considered with great care.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to give this matter practical consideration before Christmas, considering the suffering that the delay is causing to these poor people?
§ THE PRIME MINISTERI expect to be able to give an answer before the House rises. We have already given a good deal of attention to the matter, but all the recommendations that have been made involve very heavy additions on the taxpayer.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhen the decision is come to, will the increase, if any, be made retrospective, owing to the unavoidable delay caused by the Allied Council meeting in London?
§ Mr. W. THORNEDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that there is a single taxpayer who will object to giving the old age pensioners another 2s. 6d. per week? There are not a dozen people in the country who would object.
§ THE PRIME MINISTERNo; I am perfectly certain that no one will object if we 31 can afford it. There are so many claims upon the consideration of the taxpayer that the best thing that we can do is to choose between them and decide what we are able to do and what we cannot afford to do.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman give preference to the old British poor, a preference rather than the various foreign charities to which the Government are subscribing?
§ THE PRIME MINISTERI do not know what the hon. Member means.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Government are giving £1 for every £1 subscribed to various charities being raised in this country for Austria?
§ THE PRIME MINISTERThat is not a relevant consideration. It is a question of restoring the peace of Europe, and we are closely concerned in that.