§ 68. Sir ALFRED YEOasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the hardships suffered by the old Army and Navy pensioners who were pensioned on the old rates of pension previous to 1914; and whether he will consider some substantial increase to these pensions so as to enable many of those men who are elderly men and depending of their pensions to meet the increased cost of living?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLMy right lion. Friend has asked me to answer this question. So far as Army "campaign" pensioners are concerned (men over sixty-five coming under Article 1170 of the Pay Warrant) an increase corresponding to that given to old age pensioners has already been given. The question of a general increase of small pensions cannot be confined to Army and Navy.
§ Sir A. YEOThe quantity is a dwindling quantity, and many of them if they do not have their pensions increased will have to appeal to the Poor Law. Could not these pool men have some small increase to prevent them going to the workhouse?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have said nothing inconsistent with that.
§ Viscount WOLMERWill the right hon. Gentleman, as the official representative of old soldiers, represent these facts to the Treasury? Is the right hon. Gentleman not prepared to take the matter up?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI was meditating whether it was necessary, seeing that the Noble Lord's intervention has already ventilated it to some extent.