HC Deb 01 March 1945 vol 408 cc1546-7
28. Mr. Walter Edwards

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that out of a pension of 28s. per week, 19s. per week is deducted when the ex-Serviceman is an in-patient of a hospital to which he has been sent by his Ministry for treatment; and will he take steps to put an end to this excessive deduction.

The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)

The hon. Member is apparently referring to the case of a single man who is receiving sick pay from his employer during a period of institutional treatment and is, therefore, ineligible for treatment allowances at the normal rate. In such circumstances he continues to draw his pension less a deduction of 19s. in respect of home savings, which in my opinion is not excessive.

Mr. W. Edwards

May I ask my right hon. Friend if his Ministry is adopting the policy that pensions have to be subsidised by the employer who is good enough to make up the pay of the man while he is in hospital? Does he think it is sufficient compensation for the man's service to the State for his Ministry to allow him only 9s. a week when he is in hospital?

Sir W. Womersley

No, Sir, the principle of treatment allowances is on a very generous scale, and a great improvement on that which was in operation previous to this war. The system is this: when a single man goes into hospital for treatment, his pension is raised to a treatment allowance of 40s. per week, and from that is deducted the 19s. for his home savings. In addition to that, if he is not entitled to National Health Insurance, he receives a further payment making it up to 30s. a week. In the case where a man is receiving his full pay whilst in hospital, he is losing nothing and, therefore, we just pay his pension less his treatment allowance.

Mr. Edwards

Does not that prove that the right hon. Gentleman's Ministry is saving money at -the expense of the employer who is prepared to make up that man's money while he is in hospital?

Sir W. Womersley

It does not mean that; it means that the man is not paid twice.

Mr. Edwards

But you only pay him once.

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