§ 48. Mr. Platts-Millsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that aged persons, not in receipt of an old age pension, do not qualify for the concessional tobacco and extra tea allowances; and if he will amend his regulations governing these concessions so as to remove this hardship.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Stafford Cripps)So far as tobacco is concerned, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Dodds-Parker) on 18th October. So far as tea is concerned, all persons over 70 are entitled to the extra ration, whether they are in receipt of an old age pension or not.
§ Mr. Platts-MillsWhile I have that answer in mind, does not the Chancellor appreciate that the hardships he has imposed in the last few weeks bear more heavily on old-age pensioners than anyone else, warranting him to reconsider the extension of this slight concession to these old people?
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir.