§ 22. Sir R. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many widows of former field marshals are included in the 115,900 war widows who receive pensions.
§ The Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Mr. Norman Pentland)One, Sir.
§ Sir R. RussellIn that case, was it not unworthy of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to use as an argument against exempting war widows' pensions from taxation that the widows of field-marshals would have to be included? Will the hon. Gentleman ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reconsider the whole matter?
§ Mr. PentlandAs the hon. Gentleman knows, questions on Income Tax should be directed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. DeanCan the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the priorities which were allocated to war widows under the previous set-up will be continued, and can he say which Minister has specific responsibility for these matters?
§ Mr. PentlandIf the hon. Gentleman puts down a Question about that. I shall answer it.
§ 23. Sir R. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many war pensions are paid to widows of soldiers who were killed while driving army lorries in Great Britain during the Firs' and Second World Wars.
§ Mr. PentlandI regret that this information is not available.
§ Sir R. RussellMay I put a similar supplementary question to that which I put on the last Question, and ask the hon. Gentleman to request the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reconsider the whole of this problem?
§ Mr. PentlandThe hon. Gentleman must accept my previous reply. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will, of course, see what the hon. Gentleman has said, but questions relating to Income Tax are not for me.