HC Deb 14 October 1952 vol 505 c6W
61. Mr. Hale

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will make a statement with regard to the computation of need in the assessment of pensions for parents who lost sons on active service during the last war.

62. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Pensions what increases are to be made in the scale of pensions to the parents of deceased ex-Service men.

Brigadier Smyth

The basic means standards used in calculating the need of parents who lost sons as a result of the 1939 war will be raised, from the first pay day in November, from 40s. to 50s. a week for one parent and from 60s. to 75s. a week for two parents. Comparable increases will be made in the means standards applicable to the parents of officers.

A review of existing cases, which will take some months to complete, is being started at once and application is not necessary.

Special arrangements will be made for reviewing the cases of parents of the 1914 war who are in receipt of need pensions. As their average age is 82 years, my hon. Friend is arranging for his welfare officers to visit them.