HL Deb 21 May 1968 vol 292 cc585-7
LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My 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 they will bear in mind the effect on war disability pensioners and their dependants of the increase in the cost of living which has already taken place and which may continue to rise in the future by reason of devaluation and other causes, and the resultant reduction in the standard of living of these men and women who are unable to make, or are handicapped in making, provision for themselves by their own labour; and whether, during the ensuing months, they will study this problem with a view to forecasting in the gracious Speech action which could be taken next year.]

LORD BOWLES

My Lords, the noble Lord will remember that we made substantial increases in the pensions and allowances for war pensioners and their dependants just over six months ago. I can assure him that their needs will continue to be kept in mind by the Government. But I must remind the noble Lord that although we are already taking steps to protect the most vulnerable sections of the community from hardship, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister indicated in January that a further general uprating could not be undertaken before at least the autumn of 1969.

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, while recognising the United Kingdom's financial difficulties—as indeed all disabled ex-Servicemen do—may I ask the noble Lord whether he and the Government will nevertheless bear in mind two facts? The first is that the rise to which he has referred, though it came into effect only six months ago, related to a period over a year ago; and the second is that the major Parties in the State have said more than once, and especially at Election times, that they would make it their aim to see that these men's remuneration or war pensions kept pace with the rises in the standard of living and in the cost of living.

LORD BOWLES

Yes, my Lords. The basic rate of a 100 per cent. pension prior to last October was £6 15s. To restore the purchasing power of this pension, calculated between October, 1967, and March, 1968—the latest period for which figures are available—would require an increase of 3s. 3d., to £6 18s. 3d. The present rate is £7 12s., which is 13s. 9d. more than would be required merely to restore such a pension's previous purchasing power. Similar figures apply, of course, to widows' pensions. I think we are fully aware of the anxieties that the noble Lord has, and has had all his life, for the war-disabled pensioners, and I am sure that the House and the Government are very much in his debt for his interest.

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, will the noble Lord notice that in my Question I have not asked for a rise now, because I realise the difficulties? I have asked that this matter be given special consideration, to be dealt with next year.

LORD BOWLES

My Lords, I have said that we are doing something this autumn. The noble Lord's Question asked whether it will be referred to in the gracious Speech, but the Prime Minister has indicated that a further general up-rating could not be undertaken before at least the autumn of 1969.

LORD RHODES

My Lords, may I ask the Minister whether he is aware that successive Governments have been particularly mean to these men; and may I also draw the Minister's attention to those men who were prisoners of war of the Japanese in Burma and who are in institutions like Roehampton, whose chances of promotion are ruined because they have to go back to Roehampton every year for three months? Is it not time that we had another look at the priorities in this question?

LORD BOWLES

My Lords, all I can say to my noble friend is that I think that, except for some early years in the 1930s, the war pensioners are in receipt of higher real pensions now than at any other time. As regards the other point made by my noble friend, I will certainly draw my right honourable friend's attention to the question of the need for these people to go back to Roehampton every year for three months.

LORD RHODES

My Lords, is the Minister aware that a disabled man who gets his disablement early in life can never be compensated properly?

Logi) BOWLES

Yes; I certainly, and regretfully, agree.

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