Post-War Credits (Hansard, 10 November 1959)

§ 2. Mr. Biggs-Davison
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now completed his consideration of the broadening of the categories on which post-war credits are paid on hardship grounds, particularly of sickness.

Mr. Amory
As I said in reply to Questions last week, I cannot make any statement at present about further payment of post-war credits, but I have undertaken to give careful consideration to the case of the long-term sick.

§ Mr. Biggs-Davison
Will my right hon. Friend hasten the result of his efforts, because there are a number of constituents of mine and very many people who are unable to earn because of sickness and who would be very glad if the sums due to them from the State could be paid out as quickly as possible?

Mr. Amory
I do not disagree with what my hon. Friend has said.

§ Mr. Rankin
As quite recently we have repaid a big post-war credit to America, would not that fact reinforce the claim of some of our creditors at home?

Mr. Amory
That is rather a different matter, as I think the hon. Gentleman will agree.

§ 11. Mr. Paton
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to reduce the age for repayment of post war credits by another five years for both sexes; and how much this repayment would cost.

Mr. Amory
I cannot make any statement at present about the possibility of reducing the qualifying ages for payment of post-war credits. The cost of reducing the age by five years for both men and women would be £82 million.

§ Mr. Paton
In view of the much trumpeted prosperity of the country at present, and in view of the relatively low cost of this proposal, does not the Chancellor agree that it is high time that repayment of this national debt of honour was greatly accelerated?

Mr. Amory
I agree with the hon. Gentleman that the sooner we can make repayment of this debt, which has been outstanding for such a long time, the better. I am not sure I agree with him that this is a relatively unimportant sum and, of course, all the time one has to watch the inflationary consequences of excessive payments of this kind.

§ 12. Mr. Paton
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated cost of paying post-war credits to men and women who are medically certified as being permanently incapacitated from work by reason of sickness, disease or injury.

Mr. Amory
I regret that there is not enough information on which to base an estimate.

§ Mr. Paton
Even if that is so, does not it present the Chancellor with the easily identifiable category for which he asks in dealing with such matters of hardship? Surely, it is intolerable that we should refuse to give this group of people permanently incapacitated by sickness, disease or injury, this small measure of amelioration which could be so easily granted.

Mr. Amory
The hon. Gentleman will have taken note of the fact that I am looking at the possibilities of assisting the chronic sick in this way. However, I am not sure that the proposal he has made would be administratively satisfactory, because I doubt if it would achieve a reasonably uniform basis, but I will bear his suggestion in mind.

§ Mr. J. Griffiths
Would the Chancellor consider consulting the Minister of National Insurance, since most of these classes would be covered by his Ministry, and from the records the right hon. Gentleman would be able to show the Chancellor which persons are permanently incapacitated for these reasons?

Mr. Amory
The right hon. Gentleman is right and at present I am engaged in discussions with my right hon. Friend.