§ 1. Mr. Symondsasked the Minister of Pensions the number of unemployability supplements, constant attendance allowances, and allowances for lowered standard of occupation now in payment, and the number in payment with the maximum rates then payable, at the correspon-
| ALLOWANCES IN PAYMENT AT 30TH SEPTEMBER | ||||||
| 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 | ||
| Unemployability Supplement: | ||||||
| Numbers | … | 5,830 | 6,470 | 6,960 | 9,590 | 15,950 |
| Maximum weekly rate | … | 20s. | 20s. | 20s. | 30s. | 30s. |
| Constant Attendance Allowance: | ||||||
| Numbers | … | 2,690 | 3,210 | 4,550 | 5,580 | 7,610 |
| Maximum weekly rate | … | *20s. | 40s. | 40s. | 40s. | 40s. |
| Allowance for Lowered Standard of Occupation: | ||||||
| Numbers | … | — | 810 | 1,780 | 4,320 | 15,310 |
| Maximum weekly rate | … | — | 11s. 3d. | 11s. 3d. | 20s. | 20s. |
| *The maximum rate of Constant Attendance Allowance for officer pensioners before 1946 was £100 a year. In regard to the other items in the above table the maximum rates for officers were the annual equivalents of the weekly rates shown in the table. |
§ 2. Mr. Symondsasked the Minister of Pensions what is the annual value of the payments which are now made by his Department to a 100 per cent. disabled ex-Service man of the rank of private, who married after his discharge and has two children, and who draws unemployability supplement and constant attendance allowance; and what was the annual value of the maximum payments which could have been made in a parallel case in 1919, 1929 and 1939 respectively.
§ Mr. SimmonsThe present annual value, assuming constant attendance allowance at the maximum rate, is £379, 12s. The annual value of the maximum payments 168 ding dates in 1945, 1946. 1947, and 1948, respectively.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions (Mr. Simmons)As the information required is somewhat detailed, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Briefly, the total of the three allowances in payment has increased from 8,520 in 1945 to 38,870 today.
§ Mr. SymondsWill my hon. Friend do all he can to give publicity to that remarkable increase, so that the country can be fully aware of the way in which, since the war, this Government have looked after the injured and ex-Service men?
§ Mr. SimmonsThe 24th Report of my right hon. Friend was obtainable in the Vote Office yesterday, and I hope that every hon. Member will get a copy and will give publicity to the work that has been done.
§ Following is the information:
§ which could have been made in corresponding circumstances in 1919, 1929 and 1939 was £156.
§ Mr. SymondsDoes that very largely increased figure include the children's allowance as provided by the Ministry of Pensions, and would the children's allowance provided by the Ministry of National Insurance be over and above that figure?
§ Mr. SimmonsA pensioner with two children would receive, in addition to the figure I have already given, the five shillings given by the Ministry of National Insurance for the second child.