Commander LOCKER - LAMPSONasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will amend the existing rule that no pension can be given in a lump sum unless it is the full amount of disability which brings in a sum of £175 per annum, or, in some exceptional cases, £120, in such a way as to enable all permanent War pensions to be commuted?
Mr. MUJRThe minimum under the standing rules is £150 a year, not £175, and £120 in certain exceptional cases. These minima have been laid down, by common agreement of all the Departments concerned, to safeguard officers against the very serious hardships which would inevitably arise through misfortune or improvidence were they permitted to commute the whole of their permanent pensions. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to advise that these limits should be removed or reduced.