§ 10. Mr. TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the event of a man in receipt of the special campaign pension being awarded an old age pension, it is the practice to withdraw the special campaign pension; and, if so, will he state the regulations governing the award of special campaign pensions?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)The grant of old age pension does not necessarily result in the withdrawal or reduction of special campaign pension, but it may do so if the pensioner has other means, as one of the conditions governing the grant of a special campaign pension is that the income of the recipient must not exceed certain fixed limits. Old age pension must be taken into account in this connection. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the regulations governing the award of special campaign pensions.
§ Mr. TAYLORIs it the general practice to take away the special campaign pension if the means are above 19s. a week, and does the right hon. Gentleman think that that is fair treatment of these old soldiers?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am not sure of the figure, but there is a scale beyond which the special campaign pension is not payable.
§ Mr. TAYLORCannot the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter with a view to allowing these old soldiers to enjoy their special campaign pension as well as their old age pension? They are no better off.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI wish that I could, but of course that would involve the question of further funds being granted for the purpose.
Mr. BECKETTHas it not been the custom to regard other cases of special campaign pensions as for services rendered and not as a charity grant; is it right, therefore, to take it away?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI do not think that either of those terms can apply to the special campaign pensions; they are in a special class by themselves.
§ Mr. STEPHENDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think, in view of the cost of living and other considerations, that he ought to go into this matter and see if it be not possible to grant a higher limit?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIt is not a case of what I think; it would be easily solved if it were a question of what I think; but the question of funds is important.
§ Mr. TAYLORDo I understand from the reply that the right hon. Gentleman's Department is under an obligation to reduce this pension automatically when the old age pension is granted?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSNot quite; the special campaign pension is only payable to old soldiers whose total income is under a certain scale. If the receipt of the old age pension brings them beyond that scale, the special campaign pension is not payable, and they are not then entitled to it.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDIs the right hon. Gentleman right when he says that the special campaign pension is payable to all old soldiers?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI did not say so.