HC Deb 21 November 1938 vol 341 cc1328-9
34. Colonel Heneage

asked the Minister of Pensions what steps have been taken to direct the attention of war pensioners, and other ex-service men, to the importance to themselves and their dependants of their taking advantage of the Contributory Pensions (Voluntary Contributors) Act, 1937, before 2nd January next, when the special provision in favour of men between 40 and 55 years of age ceases to operate?

The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Ramsbotham)

I am glad to inform my hon. and gallant Friend that every effort has already been made in the direction indicated. In August, 1937, I invited the chairman of every War pensions committee to make widely known among the ex-service community the benefits of the Act. A month later I caused several thousand posters to be printed and issued to all my local offices and to the branches of the British Legion urging all eligible ex-service men to take advantage of the Act. In July last I broadcast an appeal with the like object to all Great War pensioners. In August, in response to my invitation, the chairmen of all War pensions committee gave wide publicity to the benefits of the Act through the medium of the local Press. At the same time I communicated with all Great War disability pensioners individually again calling attention to the benefits of the Act and inquiring whether they had or wished to become voluntary contributors. I am following up their replies by personal visits to pensioners in suitable cases through the voluntary workers attached to the War pensions committees. Both the British Legion and the Emergency Help Committee of the British Red Cross Society have generously undertaken to co-operate.

Colonel Sir Charles MacAndrew

Will my hon. Friend do what he can to make it known that although men are now 55, they are eligible if they were not 55 at the beginning of the year, as there is a great deal of misunderstanding on the point?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I will see what I can do in that direction.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Does not my hon. Friend think that Members of this House might follow out his suggestion by circularising in their own constituencies?

Table showing the number and value of motors cars (including chassis) imported during the year 1936 into Argentina and Brazil form the united kingdom and the united states respectively:
— Imports into
Argentina. Brazil.
From United Kingdom. From United States From United Kingdom. From United States.
Number. Value.* Number. Value.* Number. Value. Number. Value.
Thousand pesos (paper) Thousand pesos (paper) Thousand milreis Thousand milreis
Automobiles for passenger transport. 432 507 15,523 14,665 155 2,959 17,402 176,853
Other (including chassis of all kinds). 363 597 7,806 5,136
* "Tariff" values.

Rates of exchange:

  1. (a) Arangentina (Government selling rate) 16.96 paper pesos=£1.
  2. (b) Brazil (free rate) 85.93 milreis=£1.