§ 54 and 55. Mr. D. Jonesasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (1) if he is aware of the fact that persons in receipt of both widows' pensions and parent dependants' pensions are being officially informed that the parents' dependant pension is being reduced by an amount equal to the increase in widows' pension; and whether he will give the reason for this action;
(2) whether he is aware that many persons in receipt of both retirement pension and parents' dependant pension from his Department are being advised that their parents' dependant pensions are being reduced by an amount equivalent to the authorised increase in retirement pension; and if he will explain the reason for this treatment.
§ 58. Mr. Rossasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many retirement pensioners have had, or have been advised that they will have, their war parents' pension cut when the increase in retirement pension takes effect; and what would be the cost of the additional payments.
§ 60. Mr. Willisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether old-age pensioners in receipt of a war dependant's pension will have the increase in the old-age pension deducted from their dependants' pension, under his regulations.
§ Brigadier SmythThe Royal Warrant places parents' pensions on a needs basis and it is, therefore, necessary to take changes of income into account, but I anticipate that in most cases in which a28W reduction in the need pension is made it will be less than the increase in the widow's or retirement pension. I cannot at present state how many retirement pensioners are concerned or what sum will be involved.
§ 56. Mr. Llewellynasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what complaints he has received from Wales concerning the reduction of parents' dependant pensions by an amount equivalent to the authorised increase in retirement pensions.
§ Brigadier SmythI have been unable to trace any such complaints.