Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been drawn to the action of the Australian Government in increasing the pension of War widows to £2 a week; and whether, having regard to the high rents that have to be paid for decontrolled houses, he is prepared to recommend that the pensions of War widows in this country should be increased to not less than 35s. a week?
§ Major TRYONI would remind the hon. Member that the rates of War pension were substantially increased in 1919 to meet a cost of living considerably in excess of the present. As these rates have recently been stabilised by the Government at the increased figure, notwithstanding the fall in prices generally, I do not consider there would be any justification for recommending the course suggested.