Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Secretary of State for War the number of old soldiers now receiving service pensions for Army service prior to the Great War who have had no increase of pension; their average age; and the average weekly sum paid them?
§ Mr. LAWSONI regret that no statistics are available, but the numbers are probably something under 10,000. I have no information as to average age. The average pre-war pension was 11s. 8d. a week. I would point out that all prewar pensioners who re-enlisted and gave satisfactory service in the Great War 1131W were entitled to re-assessment of pension, and in addition numerous pensioners became entitled to increases under the Pensions Increase Act. The exceptions, who form the class now in question, would be men who did not serve in the Great War, and who are further disentitled, either by being above the means limit, or under the age limit, or by residence abroad from being dealt with under the Pensions Increase Act.