§ 58. Mr. Willisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider extending the concessions given to old age pensioners concerning tobacco, to those ex-Service pensioners who would normally be in receipt of an old age pension but who for various reasons only draw their Service pension.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallNo. Sir. I am afraid such an extension is not practicable.
§ Mr. WillisCan my right hon. Friend say what is the difference between a pensioner drawing £2 a week as an old age pensioner and a pensioner drawing £2 a week as a Service pension? Why should there be discrimination?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallThe difference, which has often been explained in this House, is that an old age pensioner under the Act draws his pension at the Post Office counter and is therefore recognisable.
§ Mr. WillisThe Service pensioner also draws his pension through a Government Department.
§ Mr. ShurmerIs my right hon. Friend aware that there are many old people in this country between the ages of 65 and 70 who have stopped work and are not eligible to draw pension until they are 70, and does he not realise that they have no pension book and cannot draw allowances of tobacco?
§ Lieut.-Commander BraithwaiteMay I ask the Financial Secretary whether he would make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to examine the whole question of ex-Service pensioners between now and the Budget?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallThat is another question. We are here dealing only with tobacco tokens.
§ Lieut.-Commander BraithwaiteI am only asking for representations.