124. Major Lloydasked the Minister of Pensions whether there is any possibility of an increase in the pensions payable to war widows in order to bring them into line with the increased cost of living, having special regard to those widows unable to work and supplement their pensions.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingNo, Sir. The pension rates for other ranks' widows, where the widow is over 40, or incapable of self-support, or has a child, were increased as recently as last February, and the maximum rent allowance payable to a widow who has a child was also increased. In 79W 1919, such a widow received a pension of 26s. 8d. a week. Today she gets 35s. od. a week. If she had two children she received in all 44s. 2d. a week. She now gets at least 57s. od. a week and, according to the rent she is paying, she may receive up to 72s. od. a week.