§ 6. Mr. Simmonsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will give immediate consideration to the problems of the ageing war pensioners of 1914–18 war and announce his findings early this Session.
§ Mr. PeakeI am always ready to consider individual cases where the war disability has worsened, but I cannot hold out any expectation of a change in the basis of the war pensions scheme so as to vary assessments according to age.
§ Mr. SimmonsCould not the Minister stretch the regulations for the benefit of the aged war disabled? For instance, could he stretch the regulation that applies to comforts, so that the aged war pensioners will benefit?
§ Mr. PeakeI am sure that the hon. Gentleman would agree that we stretch the regulations as far as possible in the interests of the war disabled, and that the administration is extremely sympathetic.
§ 7. Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to state, at the most convenient date, the number of persons in receipt of disability pensions due to war service and the number who are in receipt of constant attendance and hardship allowance, respectively; and if he will give the corresponding figures for the two previous years.
§ Mr. PeakeSince a number of figures are involved, I will, with permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HaleWhile I appreciate that, will not the right hon. Gentleman have a look at this matter of the constant attendance allowance and these two major allowances, because there is a feeling that too few pensioners are in receipt of these benefits, which are intended for the worst class of case? Will he bear in mind that 7 many of these pensioners' problems seem to get more acute and need more consideration?
§ Mr. PeakeNo doubt the hon. Gentleman will study the figures when they are circulated. The number receiving an
| —— | At 31st March | ||
| 1955 | 1954 | 1953 | |
| Number of war disablement pensioners | 634,100 | 655,600 | 668,500 |
| Number of pensioners receiving allowances for constant attendance | 10,670 | 10,840 | 10,550 |
| Number of pensioners receiving allowances for lowered standard of occupation | 16,470 | 17,410 | 17,860 |