§ 15. Captain LOSEBYasked the Pensions Minister if he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation which will allow recipients of old age pensions to be assisted by Poor Law relief without prejudice until such time as old age pensions have been amended to meet the increased cost of living?
16. Mr. ALFRED T. DAVIESasked the Pensions Minister whether he has considered the necessity of reducing the pension age to sixty-five years, and in cases of incapacity or chronic illness to sixty years of age?
§ Mr. BALDWIN (Joint Financial Secretary to the Treasury)A Committee has been appointed to consider and report what alterations, if any, as regards rates of pension or qualifications should be made in the existing statutory scheme of old age pensions. In the meantime, His Majesty's Government cannot undertake to introduce legislation on this subject.
§ 17. Mr. WILLIAM GRAHAMasked the Pensions Minister whether the bonus of 1742 20 per cent. granted in respect of the increased cost of living is payable on flat rate pensions of 5s. per week; and, if not, what are the reasons for withhholding the bonus in such cases, in view of the fact that the increase in the cost of living affects all classes of dependants of men who have lost their lives on service?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe bonus is not paid in respect of the parents' special 5s. pension. Where a pension is granted to a parent on the ground of previous dependence, the bonus is added in order that the purchasing power of the pension may approximate to that of the contribution made under pre-war conditions by the son. The 5s. flat rate pension (which was granted at a time when the cost of living was at least as high as it is at present) is not based on pre-war dependence, and does not require to be adjusted to meet present conditions.
§ Mr. HOGGEWas it not the case that the 5s. flat rate pension was given on the basis of the potential value of that sum, and not on account of the cost of living at all?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThat may be so, but still I think the answer applies.
§ Mr. HOGGEIf it were given, as my right hon. Friend admits, on the potential value—he said, "It may he so," and he ought to know whether it is so—should it not carry the bonus like every other pension?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThat is a matter for argument, and one which it is hardly possible to deal with in question and answer.