HC Deb 21 May 1935 vol 302 cc964-5

3.56 p.m.

Sir REGINALD CRADDOCK

I beg to move, in page 94, line 23, to leave out "in the United Kingdom."

This is a very small Amendment which I hope the Government will be able to accept. It deals with the question of pensions payable in the United Kingdom. There are certainpensioners—they number over 100 at present and there might be many more at another time—whose pensions are not paid to them in the United Kingdom. They have made arrangements through the India Office or the High Commissioner to have the pensions paid elsewhere, and as it is well to be very precise in these Clauses and it is very important to the pensioners concerned, they are anxious that the pensions which are remitted to them in various ways through the High Commissioner or the Secretary of State and through authorities accountable to him, should be definitely mentioned in the Bill. I am advised that the wording of the Amendment would meet that wish, but if the Secretary of State cannot accept the wording, perhaps he will frame the Amendment in better form.

3.58 p.m.

Duchess of ATHOLL

I beg to second the Amendment.

I need not stress the point that there are many pensioners or pensioners' wives who, after a long period of residence in India, find it difficult to face the cold of an English winter, and for that reason they live abroad in one country or another. I speak from experience of people who are in fact domiciled abroad. I feel sure that the wording of the Clause is just an unintentional omission, but the Amendment will give effect to what is desired.

Sir S. HOARE

I am always glad when I find myself in agreement with my hon. Friend the Member for the English Universities (Sir R. Craddock). I am delighted to accept this Amendment.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 94, line 25, at the end, insert: in the United Kingdom or through officers accounting to the Secretary of State or the HighCommissioner."—[Sir B. Craddock.]