HC Deb 17 October 1939 vol 352 cc683-4
59 and 60. Mr. Mainwaring

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) the amount of the weekly rentals paid on the average by old age pensioners throughout the country;

(2) the proportional decrease in purchasing power, after the payment of rents, experienced by old age pensioners since the outbreak of war?

Captain Crookshank

There is no information available on the subject of the first question, and it follows therefore that no figure can be given in reply to the second.

Mr. Mainwaring

Would the Financial Secretary be surprised to find that the old-age pensioner in this country has to pay a minimum amounting to half his total income for rent?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member is now-giving information and not asking a question.

Mr. Mainwaring

But on the question of these pensioners, are we to take it that the Government are going to continue callously to ignore the position of these people?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member has already received an answer to the question on the Paper.

Mr. Mainwaring

In my second question, I ask the Financial Secretary to state the proportional decrease in purchasing power experienced by old-age pensioners; and is it not the case that the Press to-day indicates that last month there has been a 10 per cent. increase in the cost of living and the Government—

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member is not entitled to debate the question.

Mr. Mainwaring

On a point of Order. Is the House to put up with studied indifference and evasion of questions from the Minister?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of Order.

Mr. Mainwaring

This matter is fast becoming the gravest public scandal and I, for one, am prepared to stop the business of this House until the Government are compelled to do something about it.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Kirkwood.

Mr. Buchanan

May I ask a question?

Mr. Speaker

I have already pointed out that the question on the Paper has been answered.

Mr. Buchanan

I was only going to ask whether in view of the fact that there is considerable feeling in this matter—

Mr. Speaker

The question on the Paper asked for certain facts. Any further questions should be put down.