HC Deb 02 May 1955 vol 540 c1347
58. Mr. D. Jones

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will give consideration to permitting an increase in the amount of other income which recipients of parents pensions receive without their parents pension being reduced, thus providing for the increase in the cost of living.

The Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. Osbert Peake)

With permission, I shall make a statement at the end of Questions.

61. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many dependants' pensions are in issue to the parents of deceased Service men; and what is the average amount of such pensions.

Mr. Peake

About 48,500 dependants' pensions based on need are in payment to the parents of deceased Service men. The average weekly value of these pensions is 16s. 4d.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Are we to understand that the average reduction from the 16s. 4d. pension is now 7s. 6d.?

Mr. Peake

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman would be good enough to await the statement I am just about to make.

Mr. Callaghan

In that statement will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what it would cost him to meet such a concession as is asked for?

Mr. Peake

I think I would ask the hon. Member also to await my statement.

Mr. Callaghan

Will that figure be given in the statement the right hon. Gentleman is to give us?

Mr. Peake

I think that perhaps the hon. Gentleman had better see what the concession is before he asks what the cost of it is.