§ 54. Commander Nobleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the recent increases in the pay of the Armed Forces and in the salaries of other Crown servants, he will now consider some amendment of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1947, for the benefit of widows.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Douglas Jay)I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply of 24th April to the hon. and gallant Member.
§ Commander NobleDoes not the Minister agree that when pensions are based on salaries and on rank, then, if those salaries are, in fact, revised, it is normal to revise the pensions at the same time?
§ Mr. JayOnly in very exceptional circumstances have the Government ever departed from the principle of basing pensions on salaries.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteDoes not the extremely sharp rise in the cost of living create exceptional circumstances, and ought not the matter to be reviewed again now?
§ Mr. JayNot necessarily. We thought this year that the first claim was that of the ordinary old age pensioners.
§ Mr. JenningsDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that these people are suffering undue hardship today and that the matter deserves some consideration?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksIf the principle applies to old age pensioners, why not apply it to these pensioners? The principle is exactly the same.
§ Mr. JayIn all the circumstances, their need is greater, and, therefore, their claim should have first priority.