§ 72. Mr. T. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Labour whether the fact that an applicant for extended unemployment benefit is in receipt of a war pension is taken into account in the consideration of the application; and whether he can state the number of ex-service men who have been refused extended benefit during the last 12 months on the ground that they were in receipt of a war pension?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)A war pension is only taken into account in the class of case where the family income is a factor, and then only where the claimant himself draws the pension, it is not taken into account as part of the family incomings if it is drawn by any member of the family other than the claimant. I regret that I have not the figures asked for in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. KENNEDYDoes the hon. Gentleman think it fair that a Regulation of this sort should be operated, in view of the fact that war pensions are paid for specific disability? Does he think it fair that this Regulation should operate without Parliamentary sanction?
§ Mr. BETTERTONOf course, that is entirely a matter of opinion, and could only be discussed in Debate. Prior to March of this year, the pension was taken into account whether the holder of the pension was the applicant or not. Since that date, the pension is not taken into account except in cases where the applicant himself is the holder of the pension.