HC Deb 18 February 1926 vol 191 cc2086-8
4. Mr. BASIL PETO

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that, prior to the end of March, 1922, pensions were awarded to parents of men killed in the War, irrespective of their financial position; and whether he will consider amending the Royal Warrant with a view to the revision of these grants with a view to their withdrawal in cases where the parent is in no financial need of the pension, so that the money can be used for supplementing the pensions of poor people who have been refused, in many cases where 5s. a week would have been of great assistance?

Major TRYON

My hon. Friend alludes, I presume, to the pre-War dependence pension. This class of pension was based solely on the fact of a contribution by the deceased son to the family income prior to his enlistment. Such contribution was made irrespective of the means of the parents, and was, in many cases, of a temporary character incidental to the fact that the son was living at home, and I am aware that pensions awarded on this basis are in many cases being drawn by parents who are not in any financial need. Following the recommendations of the Select Committee on Pensions in 1920, the Government, however, decided that while no further pensions of this class should be awarded after the 31st March, 1922, existing pensions could not be reviewed on the basis of the parents' financial circumstances and cancelled without breach of faith. In these circumstances I do not think that I should now be justified in adopting the course suggested.

Mr. PETO

Could the right hon. Gentleman suggest any other method by which this could be done so that the money now drawn by people in quite affluent circumstances, who ought not to be drawing these small pensions, can be made available for other purposes?

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

As a member of the Committee referred to, am I not right in saying that the whole of these circumstances were taken into consideration, and in order that there should be no question in regard to those who found it necessary to apply, it was decided by the Select Committee to recommend the Government that the grant should be made irrespective of position?

Major TRYON

I appreciate the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Barnstaple (Mr. B. Peto), but it would be impossible to go back now on the prin- ciple of pensions in which the income of the individual is not taken into account. It is not possible to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.