§ 49. Mr. Lowasked the Minister of Defence whether he will now make a statement about the scheme for contributory pensions for widows and children, announced on 11th May, 1949.
§ Mr. ShinwellI have nothing to add to the statement which I made on this subject on 29th March in reply to the hon. Member for Buckinghamshire. South (Mr. Bell).
§ Mr. LowNot being aware at this moment of the nature of that reply, may I ask whether the Minister is aware that this matter was raised in the House on Friday last when his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War did not seem to be aware of that reply either? Would he not tell us what the result is?
§ Mr. ShinwellIf the hon. Gentleman wishes me to send him a copy of the reply to which I have referred, I will certainly do so, but, as he will agree, this is a very complicated matter. We have to make very careful inquiries. We must be certain, too, that the Services will respond to any proposal we make to them.
§ Mr. LowOught these inquiries not to have been made before the original announcement was made, over a year ago? Is it not about time something was done?
§ Mr. ShinwellI agree that it is probably time something was done, but before we do anything we must see that what we are doing is worth while.