§ 2.20 p.m.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, having regard to the Government's declared intention that, in assessing the pensions payable to the war disabled and their widows, regard would be had to the cost of living and to the higher standard of living now enjoyed in the country as a whole, they will bear in mind the effect on war pensioners, and on the widows of deceased war pensioners, of the substantial increase in the cost of living which has taken place since the improvements in war pensions and war widows' pensions were announced in November, 1964.]
292§ LORD BOWLESMy Lords, as the noble Lord will know, the war pensions improvements which came into effect in March, 1965 were the largest of their kind ever made, and further important improvements in the war pensions provisions have been introduced this year. These are an earnest of the Government's concern for war pensioners, and I can assure the noble Lord that they will continue to keep very much in mind the considerations to which he has referred.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, while thanking Her Majesty's Government for those provisions, which were very greatly appreciated, may I ask that this matter will he among others considered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he is making his plans for the next Budget?
§ LORD BOWLESMy Lords, I cannot answer for the Chancellor, but I am quite sure that the whole Government will keep in mind the point which the noble Lord has raised.