§ 1. Sir Ian Fraserasked the Minister of Pensions if he has any information to give as to the living standards of British war pensioners in the United States of America and Canada; in how many cases he has made grants to meet hardship caused by devaluation; and what is the average grant.
§ The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Isaacs)The information I have assures me that the living standards of the vast majority of these pensioners are good. I am satisfied that everything possible is being done, in co-operation with the local administrations, to give assistance where it is needed. One hundred and eighty grants have been made to meet hardship caused by revaluation. The grants are necessarily limited to the amount of the reduction in the value of pension and 2 allowances resulting from revaluation; the average weekly rate is between two and three dollars.
§ Sir I. FraserCould the new Minister, to whom I wish success in his office, publish a report to this House on his predecessor's visit showing in detail how these men are getting on and showing also a comparison between their conditions and those of American and Canadian men who are similarly disabled?
§ Mr. IsaacsI promise the House that I will certainly give that matter sympathetic consideration.