HC Deb 17 June 1925 vol 185 cc510-2
77. Mr. J. BECKETT

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can yet give any assurance that War pensions will not be reduced before 1st January, 1928?

The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)

I am in entire agreement with the reply given by the late Labour Government to a similar question, that a decision cannot advisedly be anticipated on a matter which has to be determined in relation to conditions that may obtain in the future. But it is the intention of the present Government, in the interests of pensioners, to consider at the earliest practicable moment an equitable measure of stabilisation for a longer period than that suggested by the hon. Member, not only of flat-rate War pensions, but of all other allowances under the Pension Warrants. The decision on this matter, obviously, cannot be reached without the fullest consideration of all the conditions involved.

Mr. BECKETT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister has recently given a guarantee to this effect, and is it desirable that guarantees should be given to electors at by-elections that may not be given to this House?

Sir W. SUGDEN

Is it not a fact that if pensions are stabilised, in view of a possible higher cost of living, it may mean hardship to ex-service men?

Major TRYON

I am not aware of any rule which debars a Government, when a statement is made that it is the intention of the Government to cut down pensions next April, from saying that that statement is absolutely untrue—as it was. It seems to me very hard indeed on the sick and wounded and the widows that this anxiety should be unnecessarily created. My hon. Friend the Member for the Hartlepools (Sir W. Sugden), in his supplementary question, raises a point of great importance. The first stabilisation, which was for 3½ years, told at one moment against the pensioner, because the cost of living went up. The second stabilisation, which was also for three years, made by Mr. Bonar Law's Government on assuming office, told throughout in favour of the pensioner, because the cost of living was comparatively low. It is vital that the Government should consider the cost of living very carefully before coming to a decision as to the number of years for which it is desirable to stabilise.

Mr. BECKETT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this House questions have been continually put on this point, and no answer could be given until a by-election arose?

Major TRYON

It is quite true that this question was repeatedly put to the late Government, and they refused to answer it. [Interruption.]

Mr. STEPHEN

Does the Minister of Pensions give us the assurance that under this scheme of stabilisation there will be at least no reduction in these pensions?

Major TRYON

The position is as I have stated, that we intend to give the pensioner security for a longer period than that suggested from the benches opposite.

Mr. STEPHEN

Can the Minister not give us a definite answer as to whether there may be reductions or not under this scheme of stabilisation?

HON. MEMBERS

Answer!

Mr. SPEAKER

The point is hypothetical; there is no scheme before the House.