Major Hicks Beachasked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that it will only cost £360,000 a year, he will consider increasing alternative widows' pensions awarded to widows of soldiers killed in the 1914–18 war by the same amount as the new standard rate increases announced in April last, particularly in view of the fact that the alternative pensions were based on loss of earning capacity at 1914–18 standards and that they have not been increased since their award.
Mr. AmoryI do not feel justified in expending any additional available money on increasing the pensions of those war widows who are already in receipt of pensions at rates above the standard rates.