HL Deb 24 April 1969 vol 301 cc545-6
LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister's indication in January, 1968, that the uprating of war pensions and allowances could be considered in the autumn of 1969 is still in the minds of Her Majesty's Government; and whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to uprate war pensions and allowances before the end of 1969.]

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, the answer to both parts of the Question is, "Yes".

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether a statement about this matter was first made to Parliament or outside in the country; and, secondly, whether the Chancellor made provision for this expenditure in his Budget? Because he did not mention it.

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I am sorry I cannot give the noble Lord a direct reply to the first part of his supplementary question, but I will of course find out and let him know. I think we can assume that the Chancellor certainly included this; and, of course, the timing is the same as in the case of the other increases in pensions—in other words, in early November.

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, does the noble Baroness mean to imply that the Chancellor intended that it should be included, or is she telling us that he did in fact include it? I was in the other place at the time, and I have no recollection of his mentioning it.

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I think I said that I assumed it. I should prefer to check this point before I make a categorical reply. Perhaps the comforting thought is that the increases are going to take place in any case. Perhaps I am being too naïve, but is it very important when they were announced if they are now to be a fact?

Back to