Mr. ALFRED DAVIES (Clitheroe)asked the Minister of Pensions whether the Government contemplates any reduction of parents' pensions; whether he will ask the Committee on National Expenditure to publish the evidence on which they based their opinion that too many of these pensions have been issued and that the sums granted to individuals have been excessive; and whether he proposes to accept the suggestion that a re-examination of these awards is called for?
§ Major BARNSTONNo change will be made in the scales of pension authorised by the Royal Warrants in the case of parents, apart from the fixing of a time limit for further claims to two classes of pension, namely, pre-War dependence and flat-rate pensions, of which a public announcement has already been made. The grounds on which the Committee on National Expenditure took exception to the awards previously made in respect of the pre-War dependence pension are set out fully in their Report. With regard to the last part of my hon. Friend's question, I would point out that it is my right hon. Friend's duty, in responsibility to Parliament, to satisfy himself that all awards of parents' pensions, as of other classes of pension which are in issue, have been correctly made under the terms and intention of the Warrant under which these pensions were granted.