§ 36. Mr. C. WHITEasked the Minister of Pensions if he will issue a scale of pensions of officers, men, and dependants who are eligible for commutation, providing all circumstances justifying commutation warrant such a course being taken; and, if such scale or regulations do not exist, will he give instructions that such shall be issued immediately?
§ Major TRYONOfficers in receipt of permanent retired pay or wound pensions are in certain circumstances allowed to commute. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the printed statement explaining the rules drawn up for this purpose under the Pensions Commutation Act. As regards other ranks, regulations under Section 7 of the War Pensions Act, 192], have been prepared and will shortly be issued. The pension awarded to a widow or a dependant, being not necessarily a life pension, can in no circumstances be commuted.
§ 37. Mr. WHITEalso asked the Minister of Pensions whether pensions can be commuted which are less than 2s. a day; whether he is aware that many partially-disabled men receiving less than 2s. a day are desirous of commuting their pensions with a view to purchasing a house or a business; and whether, if the Regulations do not now allow this to be done, he will make such alteration as is necessary to meet this type of case?
§ Major TRYONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the remainder of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 15th March to the hon. and gallant Member for Cathcart, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. SHINWELLHaving regard to the inadequacy of such pensions from the point of view of enabling one to live, would it not be desirable to commute these pensions in order to enable the men to go into whatever business they desire?
§ Major TRYONCommutation is only granted in exceptional cases. It is greatly in the interests of the pensioner himself that he should not commute.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERHas not the right hon. Gentleman's Department turned down applications from ex-service men who want to go overseas, where they have homes and opportunities?
§ Major TRYONI have to consider cases of that sort, and that is the kind of case where we do favourably consider commutation.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIn regard to final awards, is it not desirable in cases where there is no possibility of increasing the pension to commute where it is desired by the ex-service man?
§ Major TRYONI do not think anybody would seriously contend that a pension of 10s. a week should be increased to over 14s. a week in order to enable a man to, commute.