§ 63. Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Defence by how much per cent. the pensions of widows of officers of the rank of captain, major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel have been increased, including the proposed 5 per cent. rise, compared with the basic pension of these widows when widows' pensions were first introduced; and by what percentage over the same period the cost of living has risen.
§ Sir W. MoncktonPensions were first paid by Royal Warrant to the widows of officers in the early eighteenth century. If the proposed 5 per cent. In crease is taken into account, the basic rates of pensions in the ranks stated will have been increased by 342 per cent., 390 per cent., 372 per cent., and 362 per cent. respectively.
There is no reliable information on which to base an estimate of the cost of living before 1914, and I regret therefore that I am unable to answer the second part of the Question.