§ Mr. Prescottasked the Minister of Pensions how many parents of Service men or women who were killed or died in the 1939–45 war, who applied for pensions, were refused on grounds of means, how many by virtue of a subsequent application were granted pensions, and how many have never received a pension.
§ Mr. BuchananApproximately 41,000 parents have been refused pension on first application on the ground of absence of need. Of this number just under 6,000 have since been granted pension. The remaining 35,000 have been advised to re-apply should their circumstances change for the worse.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Minister of Pensions what was the total sum paid by way of pensions in the years 1943 to 1948, respectively, to parents whose sons or daughters died or were killed in the services, and what are the respective figures for each of the three services.
§ Mr. BuchananThe approximate total annual sums paid by way of pensions to parents who lost sons or daughters as a result of service with the Forces are as follow:
£ 1943–44 … … 3,341,000 1944–45 … … 3,453,000 1945–46 … … 3,613,000 1946–47 … … 3,748,000 1947–48 … … 3,927,000 I regret that the records of my Department do not show the expenditure for the three Services separately.