ARMED FORCES (PENSIONS AND GRANTS) (Hansard, 28 January 1943)

§ 22. Mr. Burke
asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has considered a copy of a resolution passed by the Burnley Methodist Church, Brunswick circuit, and supported by other circuits, urging more generous pension treatment for the 595 parents of unmarried sons killed on active service; and what action he proposes to take to meet the wishes expressed in the resolution?

§ The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)
This resolution relates to a subject which has been fully discussed with my Central Advisory Committee, and it puts forward no substantial reason for amending the provisions which have been embodied in the Royal Warrant with the agreement of that Committee.

§ Mr. Burke
Does the Minister realise the widespread feeling that mothers who have lost their sons on Service have received but very scant consideration, because unless they can prove the most dire distress and poverty there is no chance of their getting any monetary pension?

§ Sir W. Womersley
I am not aware of any widespread feeling in this matter, and the hon. Member is entirely wrong when he says that they have to prove dire distress. It is nothing of the kind.

§ Mr. Burke
If there is any chance of their going out to work, unless they are old or infirm, they get no pension at all, and there is, I can assure the right hon. Gentleman, very widespread feeling throughout the whole country on this matter.

§ Sir W. Womersley
I repeat that that is not the case. Surely I would hear of it, because these resolutions on the various subjects connected with pensions are all sent to me, and I take careful note of them. I am satisfied that there is no deserving case of any mother which goes without a pension.

§ Mr. Burke
Is it not the fact that these organisations, which are many and varied, are getting tired of sending resolutions because the Minister does not do anything?

§ Sir W. Womersley
No, Sir, I do not agree in the slightest.

24. Miss Ward
asked the Minister of Pensions how many war service grants have been reduced as a result of the recent increases in pay and allowances; and can he assure the House that it is made clear in each case that such reductions are in accordance with Govern- 596 ment policy and are not a matter for the War Service Grants Committee?

§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions (Mr. Paling)
The review which is now being carried out must, as was stated in this House, take some months to complete, but in any event the statistics kept do not distinguish the cases in which the recent increase in pay and allowances is the sole reason for a reduction. Where it is a factor in bringing about a reduction this is notified to the payee.

Miss Ward
May I have a direct answer to my Question? Is it noted that it is Government policy and that the War Service Grants Committee has no standing in the matter? I want a direct answer whether that fact is told to the recipients.

§ Mr. Paling
it is not the practice to allocate responsibility for Ministerial decisions in the manner stated.

Miss Ward
Why does the right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Pensions associate the Central Advisory Committee with one decision and the War Service Grants Committee cannot be associated with either decision for or against? Is my hon. Friend frightened? May I have an answer?

§ Mr. Speaker
The hon. Member's Question has been answered.

25. Miss Ward
asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the difficulties experienced by some widows of Service men in reducing their standard of living to fit their new financial position, he will consider inquiring into the possibility of extending the powers of the War Service Grants Committee or establishing some comparable committee to make special grants during the period of transition?

§ Sir W. Womersley
The Government have already made provision to meet the period of transition to which the hon. Member refers, since a widow continues to receive the allotment and family allowances paid by the Service Department, and any War Service Grant that may be in issue, for a period of 13 weeks after her husband's death. This period has been fixed as representing generally a reasonable time within which the widow can readjust her financial arrangements and I should not feel justified in proposing any additional provision.

Miss Ward
Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment. In the meantime, may I ask my right hon. Friend—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]