§ Mr. Kirbyasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that at a meeting of the National Ex-Servicemen's War Pensions Association, held in Southport on Friday last, their pension grievances were discussed and a greater measure of justice demanded from the Government, failing which the association would organise a protest march to London during Coronation week; and what steps he proposes to take to remove the grievances of these men and thus prevent them taking part in the proposed march for which many of them are physically unfit?
§ Mr. RamsbothamI have seen a Press report of a small meeting at which a resolution was passed calling for a substantial increase in the general scales of war pension. I have no power to increase these scales which I would remind the hon. Member were fixed by this House at a time when the cost of living was nearly 50 per cent. higher than it is now. In these circumstances I feel bound to suggest, in the interests of disabled pensioners, that those who are advising the association should reconsider the desirability of the suggested march.