HC Deb 29 June 1948 vol 452 cc1978-9
10. Sir W. Darling

asked the Minister of Pensions to give an estimate of the annual cost of providing pensions to parents, residing in Scotland, whose sons or daughters were killed in the 1939–45 war.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions (Mr. Blenkinsop)

I have no figures showing how many parents whose sons or daughters were killed in the 1939–45 war now reside in Scotland, but I estimate the annual cost of parents pensions arising out of that war now in payment in Scotland at approximately £250,000.

Sir W. Darling

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to find out the number who would be likely to make application for such a pension? I believe the number would be very small, and in view of the recommendation made formerly by the hon. Gentleman himself, among others, that such pensions should be paid, will he collect these statistics.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Chat is another question.

Sir W. Darling

I am aware that it is another question; that is why I put it.

11. Sir W. Darling

asked the Minister of Pensions how many pensions are being paid to parents of men and women who were killed in the 1939–45 war; at what annual cost; and how many such pension claims have been made and refused.

Mr. Blenkinsop

54,300 parent's pensions have been paid in respect of the 1939–45 war and 46,600 of these are still in payment at an annual cost of £1,820,000. In all, 107,400 claims have been made, of which 53,100 have been refused. In the great majority of the cases in which claims were refused, the applicants have been advised that they have established their right to a parent's pension if their circumstances should worsen in the future.

Sir W. Darling

In view of these figures, would the hon. Gentleman consider advising his right hon. Friend to extend the payment of pensions to the parents of sons or daughters who fell in the last war, irrespective of the number?

Mr. Blenkinsop

No, not in view of the series of changes made in this very scheme, even during the last few weeks.

Sir W. Darling

Then I take it the hon. Gentleman is not prepared to recommend the abolition of the Means Test?

Mr. Willis

Do these figures make allowance for the concession announced last week, and if not, what difference does it make?

Mr. Blenkinsop

No, they do not include the applications which are still to come in as a result of the changes announced last week.

Mr. McGovern

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the standards allowed to parents in need of pensions are so miserably low that a review should be undertaken regularly of these standards in order to raise them?

Mr. Blenkinsop

I am certainly aware that the standards were very low before this Government came into office. I am also aware that they have been very radically changed since this Government came into office.

Mr. McGovern

That is not true.