§ 31. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to give a reply to the Resolution passed by over 100 Members of Parliament and forwarded to him by the Chairman, that immediate action is required in order to relieve necessitous cases amongst pre-War State pensioners; and further, that the Government should appoint forthwith a Select Committee of this House for the purpose of considering the adjustment of pre-War State pensions in general, with a view of meeting as far 1789 as possible the increased cost of living, such Committee to report in sufficient time to enable the Government to take the necessary action before the House adjourns in August?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot add anything to the full reply which I gave to questions on this subject on Thursday last.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman say, referring to the reply he gave on the date mentioned, whether the Committee set up by the Cabinet will call before them evidence from outside?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should not like to prescribe the course which they will think wise to adopt, but I should have thought all the information is available and that it is really rather a question of judging on the facts.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to discriminate between the contributory pensions and the non-contributory pensions?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no doubt that will be considered.