§ 2. Brigadier Petoasked the Minister of Pensions whether the review of parents' need pensions has been completed; and whether he will now make a statement.
Mr. AmoryThe review is virtually completed. Of about 52,000 pensions in payment, increases have been made in 16,650 cases. The amounts of the increases average about £13 15s. per year in the case of parents of officers and about 3s. 7d. per week in that of other ranks. About 700 pensions had to be reduced and about a similar number withdrawn owing to improvements in income which came to light during the course of the review. As the average age of parents of the 1914 War is 82, special arrangements were made for the review and every parent was visited by a welfare officer, who in many cases was able to help in other directions.
§ Brigadier PetoCan my right hon. Friend say when was the last review of these parents' needs?