§ 1. Mr. Peter Thorneycroftasked the Minister of Pensions why rent allowances, payable to widows of Service men who have lost their lives on war service, are withdrawn if these widows take in boarders.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions (Mr. Simmons)The fact that a widow takes in boarders does not necessarily exclude her from receiving a rent allowance. Where, however, she has two or more boarders and thus obtains appreciable rent relief it is the practice to take into consideration their contributions.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIs not this rather silly in view of the housing shortage which is oppressing everybody at the present time? Surely it is in the interest of the Government to encourage people to take in the maximum number of boarders? Has the hon. Gentleman made any representations in that direction?
§ Mr. SimmonsWe think that the present arrangement is not ungenerous. but we are looking at it again.
§ Brigadier PetoIs it not preferable for widows who are really hard up to take in boarders than to have to go to the National Assistance Board?
§ Mr. SimmonsI should want notice of that question.
§ 4. Brigadier Headasked the Minister of Pensions to give further consideration to the request of the British Legion for an 210 increase of war widows' pensions, because a large number of elderly war widows are finding it impossible to exist on a pension of 35s. a week.
§ Mr. SimmonsThe question of increasing the basic rates of these and other war pensions has recently been considered by the Government, and I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement on the subject made by the Chancellor in his Budget speech.
§ Brigadier HeadIs the Minister aware that the statement of the Chancellor was very disappointing and that in the recent debate in the House there was widespread sympathy on both sides for these widows? Cannot the matter be re-examined, as real hardship is being incurred by these people?
§ Mr. SimmonsNot in the existing financial circumstances.
§ Captain RyderTo what extent have these people benefited?
§ Mr. SimmonsThere have been increases in the rental allowances for widows.
§ 5. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the concern felt by the British Legion for a number of war widows who were married after their husbands suffered disablement and whose husbands subsequently died of their war disabilities, but who are not eligible for pension because death took place prior to 3rd September, 1939; and whether he will again look at the possibility of bringing such war widows under the Royal Warrant.
§ Mr. SimmonsThe Government have recently gone very carefully into this matter, but they regret that they are unable to give further retrospective effect to the provision introduced in 1946.
§ Mr. HyndCan my hon. Friend advance some reason for this decision, because this is an obvious anomaly and there cannot be many people involved?
§ Mr. SimmonsThere are considerable difficulties. This matter has recently been fully discussed by the Ministry's Central Advisory Committee and the difficulties explained to the Committee, which is representative of most of the ex-Service organisations in the country.
§ Sir Ian FraserWill the Minister make it clear that he is not calling in aid the Central Advisory Committee in his defence of this matter, because that would be a most awkward precedent in view of the secrecy of its proceedings?
§ Mr. SimmonsNo, Sir. I simply stated that the matter had been discussed with them and the difficulties explained to them.
§ Mr. Heathcoat AmoryCannot the hon. Gentleman tell the House what are these difficulties?
§ Mr. SimmonsNot by question and answer.