§ 46. Mr. ADAMSONasked the Prime Minister whether he has received a request from the joint committee representing the Civil Service organisations, the National Association of Local Government Officers, the National Asylum Workers' Union, the National Poor Law Officers' Association, and the National Union of Teachers, to receive a deputation on the question of granting a temporary increase of pension to retired Civil Servants and retired servants of local authorities; and whether he will give the request his favourable consideration?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The position of pre-War pensioners has been very carefully considered and although the Government deeply sympathise with the position in which they find themselves owing to the rise in the cost of living, I regret that owing to the heavy burdens on the taxpayer and the ratepayer arising directly and indirectly out of the War, I cannot hold out any hope that an increase of pension will be granted to them. In these circumstances, no useful purpose would be served by acceding to the request to receive a deputation on this question.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the case of ex-service 1293 men who are in receipt of pre-War pensions?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat is part of the question which has been considered, and we came to the conclusion that it was impossible to give to one class and not to give to the other.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that joint committees representing pre-War pensioners are being formed, and that Members of the House of Commons are being asked to meet them with a view to the Government receiving a deputation, and does he mean to say that they will refuse to receive that deputation?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWhat I said was that the Cabinet have considered this question and have come to the conclusion that they could not grant this increase, and in the circumstances nothing will be gained by receiving a deputation.