§ 50. Mr. HURDasked the Prime Minister whether, in order to provide adequate State recognition and self-sacrificing and devoted services to medicine, science, philosophy, and literature, he will arrange for an increase in the Civil List pension of about £75 for a person now awarded, or supplement that sum by some other form of recognition?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe amount which can be distributed in any year is strictly limited by the statutory provisions of the Civil List Act. In present circumstances, I cannot contemplate the introduction of legislation to revise that arrangement.
§ Mr. HURDDoes my right hon. Friend regard £75 a year as adequate recognition when devotion to science sometimes causes the loss of a limb?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLQuestions like that really ought not to be raised at Question Time. They certainly cannot be carried to any satisfactory solution then.
§ Mr. HURDWould it not be possible to lessen the number of recipients so as to give an adequate sum to those who receive annuities?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat is a matter for debate.
§ Mr. HARRISHas consideration been given to the increased cost of living in the last 20 years?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe total sum available is very small, and the Prime Minister has to divide it as advantageously as possible. If it were thought by the House that the matter should be revised, some Motion ought to be put down and some opportunity taken of debating the matter.