§ 24. Mr. Marloweasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what classes of pensioners, other than the retired officers of the Armed Forces, had their pensions reduced in the inter-war years to below the 1920 level and still remain fixed at 9½ per cent., or more, below such level; and how many pensioners, other than such officers, who are now receiving less than they did 30 years ago.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterCivil Service pensions awarded between 1922 and 1935 were also stabilised in 1935 at a level below the 1922 level. Owing to the different basis of Civil Service pensions as compared with those of retired officers of the Armed Forces the percentage 1170 reduction was not a uniform reduction on the 1922 rates. In some cases it was considerably more than 9½ per cent.; in a few cases less. Some of these pensioners receive less than they did 30 years ago.
§ Mr. MarloweIs it not the case that the Government could easily meet the claim for pensions for retired officers without having to face heavy claims from other quarters? Is it not high time now that that was done?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThat is a different and much wider question from that put on the Order Paper. My hon. and learned Friend asked what classes of pensioners were treated in this way and I have given him the answer.