HC Deb 17 November 1930 vol 245 cc34-6
48. Colonel GRETTON

asked the Prime Minister if he will receive a deputation representing all parties in the House of Commons with regard to pre-War pensioners?

49 and 117. Mr. SHAKESPEARE

asked (1) the Prime Minister whether he will, in future, take steps to ensure that the Government carries out recommendations contained in a Resolution passed by the whole House; (2) the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government will introduce legislation immediately to remedy the grievances of pre-War pensioners?

112. Sir ROBERT GOWER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government proposes to take any steps relating to pre-War pensions; and, if so, when?

113. Mr. WISE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now prepared to waive the means limit applied to pre-War pensioners and to increase the amount of these pensions?

114. Mr. W. J. BROWN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take in regard to alleviating the position of the pre-War pensioners of the Civil Service, Army and Navy, teachers, and police?

115. Sir COOPER RAWSON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action, if any, he proposes to take to remedy the disabilities of pre-War pensioners

116. Mr. BIRKETT

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the policy of the Government with regard to pre-War pensioners has been under further consideration; and whether he has any announcement to make?

118. Mr. ALLEN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make with regard to the claims of the pre-War Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners?

120. Commander SOUTHBY

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the case of the pre-War pensioners has been reconsidered; and if he can announce a policy which will remove the existing anomalies and disabilities?

121. Major ROSS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to introduce measures for the revision of the pensions of pre-War Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners; and whether he will have arrangements made to wind up the Royal Irish Constabulary Force Fund?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Philip Snowden)

I have been asked to answer these questions.

I cannot deal with the position of the Government in this matter within the limits of a Parliamentary answer, but if it be desired to discuss it further, I shall be quite ready to receive a small deputation representing those Members in all parties who are interested in it.

Colonel GRETTON

The question was addressed to the Leader of the House. In receiving that deputation, will the Chancellor of the Exchequer represent the Leader of the House or his Department of the Government?

Mr. SNOWDEN

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, this is a matter that has always been dealt with by the Treasury in this House, and the. views that I shall express to the deputation, if it meets me, will be the views of the Government as a whole.

Mr. W. J. BROWN

May the House assume that the Government have made up their mind to meet the desire of the House and that the deputation will be for the purpose of arranging details, or are we to—

Mr. SPEAKER

The original question asked was whether a deputation would be received. The hon. Member is going beyond that.

Mr. BROWN

But with great respect, Mr. Speaker, I think that the question I was able to put is in order. If this deputation is merely to receive the same kind of reply as the House had the other night, we do not want the deputation. We want a deputation to find out what the Government are going to do.

Mr. ALBERY

In view of the fact that this matter arises out of a Resolution passed by this House, is the House not entitled to know for what reason it is invited to send a deputation?

Mr. SPEAKER

That raises another matter.