HC Deb 02 May 1955 vol 540 cc96-7W
Mrs. Braddock

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many letters were sent from his Department notifying war pensioners that because of altered insurance rates their war pension allowances would be reduced; and in how many cases they were mothers of sons killed.

Mr. Peake

I do not know precisely how many of these letters there were, but I would refer the hon. Member to my statement on this subject in the House today.

Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the amount of money he expects to save by the reductions now being made in war dependants' pensions.

Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will review the determination of needs scales governing the award of dependants' pensions so that recipients will not be deprived of the recent increases in other pensions allowances.

Mr. Peake

I would refer the hon. Members to my statement on this subject in the House today.

Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of people whom his Department has informed of a reduction in both the war dependant's pension and in their National Asistance benefit, due to the alteration in the basic retirement pensions; and how much money he expects to save by this process.

Mr. Peake

I do not know precisely how many of these cases there may have been, but I would refer the hon. Member to my statement on this subject in the House today.

Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why he is reducing the war dependant's pension and the National Assistance allowance of a Cardiff lady, whose name has been supplied to him, despite the fact that her only change of circumstance is the altered basic retirement pension; and whether he will reconsider his present policy.

Mr. Peake

The reduction in the war dependant's pension in this particular case was due to a mistake. I am sorry that this occurred and I should like to thank the hon. Member for bringing the case to my notice. The original pension is being restored.