§ 31. Brigadier R. Medlicottasked the Minister of Pensions if he has completed his review of war pension rates; and if he is now able to make a statement.
§ 29. Sir Richard Aclandasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is now in a position to make a statement arising out of his review of the war pension rates.
§ 30. Mr. Roland Robinsonasked the Minister of Pensions whether he has now completed his review of war pensions; and whether he will make a statement.
The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Heath-coat Amory)The position of war pensioners is being considered at the present time in the course of the Government's general review of pensions. I am not yet in position to make a statement.
§ Brigadier MedlicottCan the Minister give some indication of how soon this statement will be made, in view of the difficulties which have been pointed out?
Mr. AmoryThe difficulties are well understood, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman will realise that in addition to pensions administered by my Department, other pensions are being reviewed. In those circumstances I cannot either forecast the outcome or, at the moment, say when a statement will be made. I want to assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that no avoidable delay is taking place.
§ Sir Ian FraserWill my hon. Friend and the Chancellor of the Exchequer receive a deputation from the British Legion in this matter before a final decision is made?
Mr. AmoryI cannot speak for my right hon. Friends, but I can assure my hon. Friend that I am always glad to receive a delegation from the British Legion.
§ 32. Captain Robert Ryderasked the Minister of Pensions if he will state the present purchasing value of the 60 per cent. rate of disability pension of 27s. a week payable to ex-privates for an amputated arm or leg, by comparison with the value of the 24s. a week paid in 1938.
Mr. AmoryMeasured over the whole field of consumers' goods and services, the purchasing value today of 27s., the amount of the basic pension for disablement of 60 per cent. in relation to its purchasing value in 1938, is about 12s. 5d.
§ Captain RyderDoes my hon. Friend not feel that this is a deplorable cut which has taken place in these pensions over 21 the years? Will he bear in mind the great urgency of the need to repair the damage which has been done?
Mr. AmoryI do not dissent from what my hon. and gallant Friend has said and that, of course, is among the reasons why this review is being held at present.
§ Brigadier Christopher PetoIn view of the fact that the Question refers to the fall in the purchasing value of the £ and the consequent rise in the cost of living during the last six years at any rate, has the Minister considered the advisability or otherwise of once again relating the payment of pensions to disability pensioners to the cost of living?
Mr. AmoryI do not think I can add to what I have already said. All aspects of this matter are being reviewed in the course of the present review.
§ 33. Dr. Horace Kingasked the Minister of Pensions whether he has considered the claims of the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association on behalf of limbless ex-Service men, with a view to raising the basic pension for these men.
Mr. AmoryFull consideration is being given to the claims made by ex-Service organisations, including the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association in the course of the review to which I have just referred.
§ Mr. I. MikardoApart from the question of the rates of pensions, will the hon. Gentleman take into account the views of the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association on the subject of the equalisation of pensions for the same disability between different ranks?
Mr. AmoryI can assure the hon. Gentleman that all the views expressed by the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association will be taken carefully into consideration. Were there any chance of my failing to do so, the kindly and indefatigable jogs to my memory given by hon. Members would remove that risk.
§ Dr. KingWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind, in considering the claims of these men, that the basic pension paid in respect of loss of limb is probably the only aspect of our second war pensions scheme which compares unfavourably 22 with the scheme after the first war? The view of hon. Members on both sides of the House is that these men have a really strong claim.