§ 48. Mr. Mellishasked the Secretary of State for War if he will alter the conditions governing the award of special campaign pensions with particular regard to the present scale of 19s. weekly income in the case of single persons, or 38s. combined income in the case of married persons, which are the limits that must apply today before any application can be considered.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for War (Mr. J. R. H. Hutchison)Since 1931, these special campaign pensions, which are compassionate awards, have been abolished, except for those who had earlier qualified for consideration for an award. The need for these pensions has clearly disappeared with the development of the general social services of the country and any revision of the terms would, therefore, be inappropriate.
§ Mr. MellishIs the Minister aware that hon. Members still receive letters 1616 from people who qualify for the special campaign pensions by reason of their service in the Army at that time and who, when they come to apply for these pensions, are told that their incomes must be under these rates? Are not these rates ridiculous in view of the present cost of living?
§ Mr. HutchisonThe hon. Member must realise that anybody who comes within the situation which he has outlined does so because he has, in fact, improved his financial position.