HC Deb 21 November 1955 vol 546 cc1043-4
38. Mr. Slater

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if, in view of the increase that is taking place in the cost of living, he will now give consideration to the raising of pensions of the war disabled; and what representations have been made to him by the British Legion ex-Service men's Association on the matter.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance (Brigadier J. G. Smyth)

As the hon. Member knows, the war pension rates were increased substantially in February last. My right hon. Friend has received representations on a number of war pensions matters, including the basic war disablement pension rate, and will shortly be receiving a deputation from the British Legion to discuss them.

Mr. Slater

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the minds of these people are seriously disturbed, especially when they read Press reports to the effect that they are now—[Interruption.] I should like my supplementary question to be heard by the Minister, Mr. Speaker, if we may have a little order. Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that reports are now appearing in the Press indicating that these people are now becoming known as the forgotten servants of the nation? Secondly, as it is now becoming a blot upon the conscience of the people, does not the Minister think that when the reports which are being made are taken into consideration, serious thought should be given to this question?

Brigadier Smyth

I could not agree with those remarks at all. The British Legion's claim is based upon a comparison between the value of the 1938 basic pension and its value today, but it takes no account of the big increases in the whole pensions code; improvements that have been made since the war in the introduction of special allowances; the great improvements which have been made in the pensions and allowances of very seriously disabled men who are unable to work, and the improvements in the social security scheme, which all affect war pensioners. I feel perfectly certain that the position of the war pensioner today is better than it has ever been.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, in spite of what he has just said, British Legion branches, especially in the County of Durham, are dissatisfied with the present rate of war pension, and are making representations, if not to the Ministry, at any rate to hon. Members? They are not satisfied with the adequacy of the pensions. Can we be assured that when the British Legion shortly make representations upon this subject—as the hon. and gallant Gentleman has just indicated will be the case—they will receive much more sympathetic treatment than the Government are apparently prepared to give them at present?

Brigadier Smyth

My right hon. Friend will certainly receive them sympathetically, as he always does, but I should point out, first, that in the big improvements which we have just made in war disability pensions, we gave priority to the badly disabled men who were unable to work—we have increased their emoluments by 32s. 6d. a week—second, we increased the pensions of war widows, and, third, we made the biggest ever increase in the basic rate.

Mr. Lewis

On a point of order. May I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker? In view of the fact that every hon. Member—indeed, every person in the country—would like to see the old-age pensioners receive an increase in their miserable pension, can you advise us upon what steps we back benchers can take to ensure that the will of the people shall prevail?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order.