HC Deb 22 August 1940 vol 364 cc1468-9
83. Mr. Dobbie

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give an undertaking that no portion of the increase of 6d. per day, lately granted to members of the Armed Forces, shall be taken into consideration when considering application for assistance from such members from the War Service Grants Advisory Committee under form 21; and will he reconsider the agreement already in operation with the Treasury, contrary to this principle, with a view to rescinding such decision?

Sir W. Womersley

As I stated yesterday in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Deritend (Sir Smedley, Crooke) no portion of this increase will be taken into account by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee; and the necessary instructions are being issued with the agreement of the Treasury.

85. Dr. Little

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, owing to the further increased cost of living, he will now take into consideration the claims of the men who served in the South African war and grant them an increase of their pensions?

Sir W. Womersley

Disability pensioners of the South African War were, under the terms of the Royal Warrant of 1st November, 1920, reviewed and awarded pensions at the increased rates of the Great War Warrants according to their assessed degrees of disablement, except, of course, so far as an existing pension was more favourable. Any man who did not benefit by this provision had a further right of consideration under the Pensions Increase Warrant of 1921. These rates were based on a cost of living figure considerably in excess of that obtaining to-day. The hon. Member will, therefore, appreciate that there is at present no justification for a further increase.

Dr. Little

Is the Minister aware that many of these pensioners are aged and disabled, and that something should be done for them?

Mr. Rhys Davies

Will the Minister tell the House how many pensioners there are drawing pensions in connection with the South African war?

Sir W. Womersley

I cannot without notice.

86. Mrs. Adamson

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the 6d. per day increase recently granted to Service men will be excluded from the assessment for supplementary allowances by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee?

Sir W. Womersley

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave Yesterday to a similar question by the hon. Member for Deritend (Sir Smedley Crooke).

87. Mrs. Adamson

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has given sympathetic consideration to the case of women widowed by the war who, at the date of cessation of family allowances and commencement of pension, are expectant mothers and find themselves with reduced income at a time when they are unable, for physical reasons, to be wage earners, and require special care and attention in preparation for confinement; and has he any statement to make?

Sir W. Womersley

I am glad to be able to say that I have obtained authority to deal specially with the case of the young childless widow who, at the date of her husband's death, is an expectant mother and so may find herself exposed to hardship by the reduction of income in the circumstances referred to. In such a case if the widow is medically certified to be incapable of self-support by reason of her condition, her pension will be increased by 7s. a week to the higher rate applicable to a widow with children.