§ Mr. CLOUGHasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is still receiving representations arising out of agitation to increase pensions; and what is the present attitude of the Treasury towards the claims of ex-civil servants, ex-railwaymen's and ex-policemen's widows, prior to September, 1918?
§ Mr. BALDWINSo far as ex-civil servants are concerned, I still receive a certain number of letters from isolated pensioners who are not qualified for an increase under the Pensions (Increase) Act, but on the whole it would appear that the Act has satisfactorily carried out the intention of His Majesty's Government in relieving cases of exceptional hardship. I see no prospect of the introduction of legislation for the purpose of increasing the benefits of the Act or of granting benefits to persons such as the widows of ex-policemen, referred to by the hon. Member, who are not at present eligible for them. As regards ex-railwaymen, I would refer the hon. Member to replies to previous questions, including that given on the 1st November last by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore).