§ 61. Captain BAGLEYasked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the hardship and distress suffered by pensioners, super annuated employés, recipients of work men's compensation, and others whose fixed incomes have been reduced by half their pre-war purchasing power; whether he is aware that these classes are thus being compelled to bear an unfair proportion of the burden of the War compared with others whose pre-war economic position has been restored by State intervention; and whether the Government pro poses taking any action in the matter?
§ Mr. BALDWIN (Joint Financial Secretary to the Treasury)I fear it is inevitable that the economic disturbance resulting from the War should operate to some extent unequally in its effect on different classes of the community; but it would appear to be impracticable to redress these inequalities by general legislative action.