§ 6. Sir R. HAMILTONasked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the case of need pensions to parents which are reduced by shares of maintenance imputed to children to such small amounts that the Ministry declines to pay them weekly, he would be prepared to direct payment to the pensioners of their due by a single annual payment?
§ Major TRYONI am reviewing the practice in regard to the particular class of case mentioned, and will give full consideration to the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ 14 and 15. Mr. ARTHUR GREENWOODasked the Minister of Pensions (1) whether he will state the cost of the inquiries made during 1922 into 19,000 need pensions which resulted in the weekly rate of these pensions being reduced from 12s. 5d. to 12s. 2d.?
§ (2) how many of the 26,500 dependents' pensions which were reduced during 1922 on an average by 1s. a week were submitted for the recommendation of local pensions committees before the decision to reduce was reached; and what was the amount of the salaries and travelling expenses of the inquiry officers, medical men, and others employed in obtaining this reduction from the pensions of persons in need?
§ Major TRYONPensions based on need must necessarily be reviewed from time to time in order to determine whether the award previously made continues to reflect the circumstances of the case and, if not, to increase or decrease the award accordingly. By a decision made last year the period of review was fixed at intervals of not less than 12 months and it is my desire to reduce review to a minimum. The work of review forms part of the general duties of the Regional and local staff and I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to state the cost of the particular inquiries. It is not the practice 2721 to refer for the consideration of War Pensions Committees every case in which a change in the pensioner's circumstances call for an alteration in an award. Provision has, however, been made for any pensioner who considers that the award made gives just ground for complaint to bring the case before the Committee. Any representations made to me by the Committee, after investigation, will receive full consideration.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs there any truth in the usual statement that is made that the cost of investigation of the officials for harassing these people is higher than the actual amount of the reduction which they achieve as the result of their efforts?
§ Major TRYONIf the question put down be correct, it is clear there is very little reduction effected. What has been effected is a change, under which people who were getting worse off get more and those who are better off get less. The advantage of the work seems to be rather in redistribution than in reduction.
§ Mr. LAWSONWould the right hon. Gentleman deny that the Officials who are sent to harass these poor people cost more for investigation than they get in reductions?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is the question which has been answered.
§ 9. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Pensions whether his officers, when inquiring into cases of need pensions and investigating the value of privileges or benefits in kind, ask the recipient whether she, or he, has any friends or relatives who occasionally give him, or her, a meal; whether, when the answer is in the affirmative, an estimate of the value of the hospitality given is included in the income of the pensioner and the amount of the pensioner reduced accordingly; and, if this is done, will he issue immediate instructions that the practice should cease?
§ Major TRYONBenefits in kind which are of a reasonably permanent nature are taken into account in assessing the means of a claimant to need pension, but casual gifts such as that described by the hon. Member are disregarded. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind I should be glad to look into it.
§ Mr. LANSBURYAm I to understand that if one of these claimants gets a meal regularly every Sunday that is taken into account because of its regularity?
§ Major TRYONIf the hon. Member will send me the particular difficulty, I will go into it, but I have given my reply to the question.
§ Mr. LANSBURYThat is my difficulty, that the pensions authority takes into account a meal given weekly to one of these claimants.
§ Major TRYONIf the hon. Member will send me that, I will certainly go into it.