§ 26. Mr. Bellengerasked the Minister of Pensions whether, now that the War Office has revised the pay and pensions of serving soldiers, he will reconsider the claims of disabled ex-service men whose disability was incurred as a result of their patriotic service to their country during a time of grave emergency?
§ The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Ramsbotham)The hon. Member is, I understand, misinformed. The recent revision in the pay of soldiers was not accompanied by any revision of pension rates, nor is such revision contemplated. I would remind the hon. Member that the pension rates applicable to disabled soldiers of the Great War were revised in 1919 to meet the high cost of living then obtaining which was far in excess of the present cost,. and that these rates still obtain.
§ Mr. BellengerThe question that I asked the hon. Gentleman was as to what is the real difficulty in his refusal to consider the further revision of the War pensions? Is it because of the cost to public funds, or that he is not satisfied that these men have a valid claim?
§ Mr. RamsbothamThe pensions were stabilised in 1928 on the cost-of-living figure of 1919, the rate being 215 per cent. as compared with 100 per cent. in 1914. A pension of 40s. in 1919 was worth 51s. 10d. in 1928, and to-day it is worth 55s. 2d.
§ Mr. T. SmithTell that to the Marines.