§ 57. Mr. STANTONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider, in the interests of national economy, the cutting down by 50 per cent. of the pensions of all retired judges, ex-Ministers of State, and others receiving at present more than £1,000 per annum in pensions; and will he lay upon the Table of the House of Commons a statement of the names and amounts paid to all persons receiving pensions of £2,000 to £5,000 per annum so that the House may consider and discuss the same?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am unable to accept the proposal contained in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the Finance Accounts, which contain full particulars of the pensions to which he refers.
§ Mr. STANTONIs there no hope that the House may have an opportunity of considering these pensions—the whole country considers it unfair?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThat was not the question that my hon. Friend put to me. He asked whether I would cut down by 50 per cent. the pensions of all retired judges, ex-Ministers of State, and others receiving at present more than £1,000 per annum in pensions. All these are taxed in accordance with the general taxation rule, and I, at any rate, can give no countenance to the idea that what they have earned by past services to the State is now to be taken, away from them.
§ Mr. STANTONMay I remind the right hon. Gentleman that other persons also have rendered great service to the State, and their pay has not been proportionate?