§ 2. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for Air how many widows of officers who died before 1958 are in receipt of pensions.
§ Mr. J. AmeryThe number of widows drawing pensions awarded before 4th November, 1958, is 746.
§ Dame Irene WardFirst, may I say thank you to my right hon. Friend for not asking permission to answer my two Questions together?
May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that a leader in the Daily Telegraph—which is supposed to be the instrument of the Conservative Government—said that the pensions position of retired officers and other ranks was chaotic? If that is the view of the Tory Press, does not my right hon. Friend think it is about time that the Chancellor paid attention to what the Tory Party thinks about the treatment of widows?
§ Mr. AmeryI am not sure if my hon. Friend's assumptions about the Daily Telegraph are well-founded. It seems to be more the instrument of her views than those of the Government.