§ Mr. MacVEAGHasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government has, owing to the increased cost of 374W living, added a bonus to pensions granted to Civil servants and similar public officials during the War; whether similar conditions as to additional cost of living apply equally to all pensioners, including those pensioned before 1915; and on what principle a bonus to the latter class is withheld?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe arrangement referred to was fully explained in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Plymouth on the 16th April last. Pensioners in common with others who are dependent on small fixed incomes are no doubt seriously affected by the rise in the cost of living; but I am not prepared to extend the concession already made or to increase the pensions of those who were not in receipt of war bonus at the date of their retirement.