§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a number of pre-War pensioners eligible for increase of pensions under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, own the house they live in, the annual value of which will be increased under the new assessment making their returnable annual income above that allowed without increasing their actual income one penny and depriving them of any benefit under the Act; and whether he is prepared to take any steps to remove the hardship that will be caused in these cases?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe increased assessment is presumably a result of the general appreciation in the value of house property which has taken place, and I am afraid that it is inevitable that regard should be had to the enhanced annual value in calculating means for the purposes of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920.