§ 34. Mr. L. M. Leverasked the Minister of Pensions if he will institute a review of anomalies in war pensions and allowances, and give an assurance that the position of the ageing badly disabled men of the 1914–18 war and their widows will receive special attention.
§ Mr. MarquandThe provisions of the pension code are under constant review and disabled men and their widows receive the most sympathetic consideration under those provisions. Pensions and allowances are adjusted as closely as possible to the needs of the individual. The hon. Member will find in my Twenty-fifth Report, to be published tomorrow, full information of the special help that has been given to pensioners of the 1914–18 War and an up-to-date statement of the position of war widows.
§ Mr. L. M. LeverIs the Minister aware that another review, and an up-to-date review, is timely in relation to this particular anomaly; and will he take steps to see that this review is made at once in order to give effect to the present cost of living as it affects pensioners?
§ Mr. MarquandI am not aware of any anomalies, and I fail to see what relation that could have to the cost of living if there were any.
§ Earl WintertonIn view of what the hon. Member for Ardwick (Mr. L. M. Lever) said in his supplementary question, will the right hon. Gentleman now agree to listen to an appeal which has been made by the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) and myself on more than one occasion in the last Parliament for a committee of inquiry into this matter which becomes more urgent every day?
§ Mr. MarquandA committee of inquiry would save no time; they would only take up time. As I have frequently said, we have this matter under constant review and the figures show a continued improvement.