HC Deb 26 January 1943 vol 386 cc361-2
54 and 61. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he has any statement to make on the Government's policy in relation to old age and widows' pensions;

(2) whether he has considered the copy sent to him by the hon. Member for Dumbarton of the resolutions passed by the conference convened by the Lanarkshire County Council, fully representative of the labour, trade union and co-operative movements, demanding priority for old age and widows' pension legislation, etc.; and what action he proposes to take to meet these demands?

55. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make on increased old age pensions and the demands of the Old Age Pensioners' Association for a basic pension of £1 10s. per week with the complete abolition of the means test?

Sir K. Wood

I am not at present in a position to add to the reply which I gave on 10th December to my hon. Friend the Member for Southend-on-Sea (Mr. Channon). [OFFICIAL REPORT, 10th December, 1942; cols. 1707–8, Vol. 385.]

Mr. Gallacher

Were we not led to believe before the Recess that the Chancellor was going to take energetic steps to deal with the position of old age pensioners and to get rid of the means test as it affects them? Was there not some story in the Press that something like that was likely to happen?

Sir K. Wood

No, Sir. No doubt the hon. Gentleman has in mind the undertaking that was given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and which was followed up in the King's Speech. The Government are engaged on that matter now.

Mr. Kirkwood

Surely, the Government have had time to consider this and to give something definite, as it is a serious matter as far as the old folk, the veterans of industry, are concerned?

Sir K. Wood

Yes, Sir, the matter is quite definite. The undertaking given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour will be carried out by the Government.

Mr. Gallacher

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an approximate date when the Government will be prepared to state their policy in this matter?

Mr. Maxton

Is it not usual that when a definite promise of legislation is made in the King's Speech, the proposed legislation should follow almost immediately, and although it is now two months since the King's Speech, there has been no word about this legislation?

Sir K. Wood

The undertaking was given that my right hon. Friend would introduce it during this Session. That will be done.