HC Deb 01 July 1957 vol 572 c668
8. Mr. Temple

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will take steps to give added publicity to the fact that treatment allowances which are equivalent to pension at the maximum, 100 per cent. rate, are payable when the pensioner is prevented from working by the requirements of treatment for his pensioned disability.

The Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)

Yes, Sir. I have just sent to all war disablement pensioners a copy of a special leaflet which, among other things, sets out fully the conditions for payment of this and other allowances. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Mr. Temple

I thank my right hon. Friend for this information which, I am sure, will be greatly appreciated by all disability pensioners.

11. Sir F. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will now increase the basic rate of pension for fully disabled ex-Service men to at least £4 10s. per week, with proportionate percentages for lower disablement, and an equivalent award for war widows; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I have no statement to make on this subject.

Sir F. Medlicott

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that he and his predecessors have sufficiently taken into account the fact that here we are dealing with a steadily reducing class of pensioner; and that we ought, therefore, to be able to be rather more generous, seeing that the total claims arising are diminishing all the time?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I do not dissent at all from my hon. Friend's general view. Indeed, that attitude has been reflected in our action over the last year or two.