§ 12. Mr. James Griffithsasked the Minister of Pensions if he will give particulars showing how many applications he has received for pensions from parents of Servicemen who have died on Service; how many such pensions have been granted; and what is the highest and lowest amount of pension awarded.
§ Sir W. WomersleyUp to the end of last year rather more than 58,000 such applications had been received. Pension has been granted in some 25,000 cases and in addition title to pension has been admitted in 28,50o cases although no award of pension has been made because the parents were not in need at the time 372 of application. In these latter cases the parents have been informed that their applications may be renewed if their circumstances should worsen materially at a later date. The minimum rate awarded is 5s. a week and the maximum is 30s. a week for other ranks and £120 a year for officers.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsWould my right hon. Friend publish a statement indicating the principles and scales upon which he decides the award of these pensions? Does he realise that we are continually being asked by our constituents why they are refused a pension, or on what scale it is, and we cannot reply?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI have already published that. In answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Deritend (Sir Smedley Crooke) in the latter part of last year, I published in the OFFICIAL REPORT a full statement, but I will repeat that if it is thought necessary.
§ Mr. Walter EdwardsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the 28,50o cases which he said just now are to be considered for entitlement—
§ Sir W. WomersleyHave been considered.
§ Mr. W. Edwards—and are going to be granted entitlement should they require it in the future, are cases which ought to be getting it now, except for the fact that the basis of computing need is far too low?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI have said repeatedly in this House that I am quite prepared to hear arguments about the basis of need and to deal with them if it is shown to me that we are not dealing as generously as we might, but I have asked repeatedly for hon. Members to send me cases of hardship so that I can investigate. Not one has reached me, and I maintain that my scale is a correct one at the moment.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsWill my right hon. Friend indicate whether in the reply which has already been published there is anything that will guide those who have been granted entitlement to pension as to when they are to apply?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe whole statement gives the details, and surely that will be an indication of when they can apply. The scale is set out as to how we arrive at need.
§ Mr. Tom BrownIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is, throughout the country, growing dissatisfaction at the attitude of his Ministry towards the subject of pensions, and would he not reconsider the decision already arrived at in order that these people may be given some satisfaction?
§ Sir W. WomersleyNo, Sir, I am not aware of it. I know that in a certain part of the country there is a lot of agitation going on, and some hon. Members are supporting it. [HON MEMBERS: "Why not?"] I am only stating the fact; there is no harm in stating the fact, is there?
§ Mr. McGovernAnd there is no harm in asking.
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe decision is a Government decision, taken by the War Cabinet itself. I am carrying out that decision, and I am in thorough agreement with the decision arrived at by the Government.
§ Mr. BuchananThe right hon. Gentleman said that no one has sent him cases. Is he aware that his Parliamentary Secretary is in the habit of dealing with these cases and that I have sent shoals of them on to him, showing how hardly people have been treated by his Department?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThere has not been one case sent along that, on investigation, has proved to be one of hardship.
§ Mr. BuchananThat is different. The right hon. Gentleman said that there was not a case sent to him. Now he is saying that, on investigation, hardship has not been proved. Members of Parliament are as capable of investigating cases as he is, and they have come to the conclusion that great hardship is being caused.
§ Sir W. WomersleyUnfortunately Members of Parliament have not access to the information that I have, and I repeat that I will deal with any case of hardship sent to me.