§ Mr. C. EDWARDSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Price, of Pontllanfraith, Monmouth, who are in their 80th and 70th years of age respectively, had two sons killed in the War, and that a pension of 19s. per week was granted them, and that later 2s. 10d. per week was given owing to high cost of living; whether he is aware that the Excise officer has now reduced their Old Age Pension from 10s. to 8s. per week, which means that the Government are giving 2s. 10d. per week on the one hand and taking off 2s. per week on the other; whether this was the intention when the Old Age Pension Act was passed; whether he is aware that for three weeks these old people have received no Old Age pension; and whether he will order the refund of this 2s. per week, and also issue orders that this class of persons shall not be deprived of their pension for weeks together, and should be paid when due?
§ Mr. BALDWINAs regards the first part of the question, I understand that the facts as to Mr. and Mrs. Price's means are substantially as stated by the hon. Member, and, as dependants' pensions must, under the Old Age Pensions Acts, be included in the calculation of means for old age pension purposes, the increase in the dependants' pension has been brought to the notice of the Local Pension Committee, with a view to their deciding whether Mr. Price is now entitled to a higher rate of old age pension than 8s. weekly. As regards the last part of the question, I am informed that Mr. Price surrendered his book temporarily, pending the settlement of the new rate, so as to avoid overdrawing the pension money. It is, however, open to him to continue drawing the pension at the 10s. rate until the new rate is fixed, and, if he so desires, the book will be returned to him. As soon as the new rate has been fixed, any under-payment due to him or overpayment due from him will be duly adjusted.