§ 24. Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Minister of Pensions whether an inquiry by specially appointed officials of the Ministry is being made into the basis of alternative pensions; whether the pensions in issue arc to be reduced irrespective of the difference in the purchasing power of money in 1914 and to-day; whether he can state the number and cost of the staff engaged for this purpose; and what saving is estimated to accrue to public funds from the reduction of alternative pensions now payable?
§ Major TRYONAwards of alternative pension are being re-investigated only where the existing evidence is clearly deficient and it is reasonably probable that further evidence is available. When an award falls to be altered the revised pre-War earnings, which form the basis of assessment of alternative pension, are increased by the addition prescribed by the Warrant (at present 60 per cent.) before calculating the pension. All necessary inquiries will be made by existing officials of the Ministry. No additional staff has been engaged.