HC Deb 24 June 1959 vol 607 cc1196-7
63. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for War why the holder of the Victoria Cross, who is an old-age pensioner and whose total income from all sources for his wife and himself is £5 4s., cannot receive the £75 annuity provided in the Pay Warrant of 1950.

Mr. Soames

The terms of the Royal Warrant provide that the sum of a Victoria Cross annuity and any other non-contributory pensions received from public funds should not exceed £75 a year. I am aware of the case put forward by the right hon. Gentleman and will send him further details. The annuity is reduced in this instance by the amount of a disability pension which is being paid.

Mr. Shinwell

Is not this a shocking state of affairs, that the holder of the Victoria Cross is, so far as I am aware—subject to any correction the right hon. Gentleman may make—forced to live, with his wife, on a total income of £5 4s. a week, which includes a disability pension? Is it not possible to modify the regulation so as to enable this man to receive the £75 annuity?

Mr. Soames

No, Sir, not under the Royal Warrant as brought in in 1950 and as it stands today. The Royal Warrant states that it cannot amount to more than £75 including other non-contributory pensions. It has been suggested more than once in the past that the annuity should be increased, but it has been held that it is a hopeless task to try to assess awards for gallantry of this character in financial terms.

Mr. Shinwell

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this man has been informed that, because of the difference between the total amount he receives at present and the amount of the annuity, namely, £75, all he is entitled to receive is £4 per annum? Is it not disgraceful that this man should be expected to rely upon this amount?

Mr. Soames

No, Sir. It is £4 over and above what he receives to make it up to £75.

Mr. Turton

As the House has been more generous in its treatment generally of disabled persons, especially those who have won the Victoria Cross, in the intervening years since 1950, will my right hon. Friend think again on this matter? Since 1950, we have raised the general standard of allowances, and we are, indeed, doing it today. Is it not time to look at the matter again?

Mr. Soames

Yes; the Prime Minister referred to this very point in answer to a Question on 14th November, 1957.