HC Deb 15 March 1945 vol 409 cc382-3
42. Mr. Vernon Bartlett

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will arrange that future pensions drafts sent by the Paymaster-General to men dis- abled in the last war are not accompanied by a card bearing the appeal, "You helped to win the last war by service. You can help to win this war by saving."

Sir W. Womersley

I do not consider it undesirable that pensioners who may be in a position to invest part or the whole of their pensions in War Savings should be invited to do so and have their attention drawn to the Pensioners' Savings Scheme, which provides an easy method of regular saving. A considerable number of pensioners have availed themselves of the opportunity of saving through this Scheme, and I see no objection to the continued issue of a postcard in the terms referred to.

Mr. Bartlett

Is not the Minister aware that in very many of these pensions cases it is obviously clear that the pensioner cannot save anything at all, and that this postcard is looked upon as being both cruel and insulting?

Sir W. Womersley

I do not agree, and when I say that pensioners have invested £858,000 in War Savings I think that is the answer to the point my hon. Friend has raised.

Mr. Bartlett

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give the number of pensioners who have invested the money? Is it not a fact that a great many of them cannot do anything of the kind and that it is a cruel postcard?

Sir W. Womersley

There is nothing cruel about it. It is only calling attention to the fact that they can pay in this money if they so desire. Over 13,000 are taking advantage of the scheme.