HC Deb 06 October 1942 vol 383 cc1075-6
59. Major Sir Jocelyn Lucas

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his attention has been drawn to the extensive wage increase demands now being made and whether he will see that the interests of service pensioners, who are now suffering great privations, will receive priority over any other claims?

Sir K. Wood

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow (Mr. N. Bower) on 29th September. I do not think the question of priorities arises. As regards the second part of the Question, I am afraid that I cannot add to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Peters-field (Sir J. Jeffreys) on 4th August.

Sir J. Lucas

Is the Minister aware of the very strong feeling, owing to the fact that lower paid wage-earners receive in-increases, and will he not at least remedy the position as far as concerns the higher Income Tax on low pensions?

Sir K. Wood

I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave, in which I stated the reasons.

Sir A. Southby

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the disparity between the awards in industry and in the Services and among pensioners is causing a good deal of anxiety in the country at the present time, and that sooner or later the matter will have to be dealt with by the Government?