§ 52. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many ex-Cabinet Ministers are at present receiving pensions and allowances from State funds, and the amount paid to each person: what statutory or other declaration of means is required before such pensions are granted; how often the cases are reviewed, and by whom: and whether, in deciding the eligibility of ex-Cabinet Ministers for pensions, any inquiry is made as to family income or the ability of children or other relatives to give the financial assistance needed?
§ Captain KINGFour ex-Cabinet Ministers are in receipt of pensions at the rate of £5,000 per annum under the Lord Chancellor's Pension Act, 1832, to the terms of which I would refer the hon. Member. Three out of the four do regular work as judicial members of the House of Lords and members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Two ex-Cabinet Ministers are in receipt of pensions under the Political Officers Pension Act, 1869, the amounts being £2,000 per annum and £1,200 per annum respectively. A candidate for the grant of a pension under this 240 Act is required to submit to the Treasury a declaration in the terms prescribed by Section 6 of the Superannuation Act, 1834, and an undertaking is given prior to the grant of the pension that in the event of the pensioner's pecuniary circumstances improving to a material extent, the pension will be surrendered.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question—are the family incomes taken into account in assessing the poverty of the person applying for a pension?
§ Captain KINGThe hon. Member can ascertain that by referring to Section 6 of the Superannuation Act.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill the hon. Gentleman tell the House the names of these two gentlemen who are drawing out-of-work pay? Is he aware that one of these gentlemen—whose names I know—stated that his winnings on horse-racing in one year amounted to £60,000? Is he also aware—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe bon. Member is giving information. He should put down a question as to the names, although I think they are already before the House.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these ex-Cabinet Ministers by the judicial work they are doing more than pay the salaries they are drawing?
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, owing to these cases not coming under review, one of the last recipients of an ex-Cabinet Minister's pension died an extremely wealthy man—Lord Balfour of Burleigh; and is it not time that these people were called up for review, as are the old age pensioners? [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Becker.
Sir HENRY CRAIKOn a point of Order. Is it in order to introduce a personal reference to the affairs of a deceased nobleman, that reference being, to my certain knowledge, absolutely untrue?
§ Mr. LANSBURYrose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has been trying to give information.
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Becker.