HC Deb 09 October 1939 vol 352 cc2-4
4. Mr. Dingle Foot

asked the Minister of Pensions why the allowance for the wife of a soldier who receives 100 per cent. disability pension under the Royal Warrant of September, 1939, is only 5s., whereas under the Royal Warrant of 1919 the corresponding allowance was 10s.?

The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)

The allowance for the wife of a disabled soldier is awarded to him as an addition to his own pension and must be considered in conjunction with it. Owing to the reduction in the cost of living since 1919 the 37s. 6d. provided under the New War Warrant for a married man who is totally disabled has a purchasing value approximately equal to that in 1919 of the 50s. provided by the Royal Warrant of that year which included a large percentage expressly added to meet the increased cost of living since 1914.

Mr. Foot

Will the Minister deal with the matter to which the question is directed, that is to say, the wife's allowance? Is it not a fact that the cost of living is now about three-quarters of what it was in 1919, and how can that justify a 50 per cent. reduction?

Sir W. Womersley

The hon. Member is entirely wrong. The Prime Minister is answering a question on this matter on Thursday and I would refer him to the reply that will be given then.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

In view of the anxiety caused by the first publication of the latest Royal Warrant, will my hon. Friend consider issuing a statement showing the respective values of this Warrant and the Warrant of 1919 in all respects?

Sir W. Womersley

My hon. Friend must not forestall the question which is to be asked on this subject.

5. Mrs. Tate

asked the Minister of Pensions why he has formed the opinion that if a totally disabled man requires a pension of 32s. per week a woman, in similar circumstances, requires only 22s. per week?

Sir W. Womersley

The rates of disablement pension payable by my Department are broadly related to the rates of pay of the various classes and ranks, and the proportionate rates for men and women follow this general rule.

Mrs. Tate

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a woman's pay, being frequently less than a man's pay, does not enable her to save so much; that a disabled man can almost always find a woman to nurse him without remuneration, while a disabled woman is not in that fortunate position?