A service from mySociety A service from mySociety

TheyWorkForYou

Menu

Cost-of-Living Increase.

Oral Answers to Questions — Naval and Military Pensions and Grants. – in the House of Commons at on 1 February 1940.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Rear-Admiral Sir Murray Sueter Rear-Admiral Sir Murray Sueter , Hertford

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the increase of 19 points in the cost of living since the outbreak of war, he will confer with the Admiralty, War Office, and Air Ministry, to see whether the widows of the Fighting Services could have their pensions increased by a small percentage as was done in the last war?

Photo of Mr Walter Womersley Mr Walter Womersley , Grimsby

No, Sir; the rise in the cost of living which has so far occurred since

Rank.Name.Qualifications.Date of Appointment to Present Grade.
Director General of Medical Services.Dr. H. Lightstone…D.S.O., M.C., M.D., CM.July, 1938.
Deputy Director General of Medical Services.Dr. A. W. Moore…O.B.E., M.B., B.Ch.October, 1930.
Director of Medical ServicesDr. W. Haward…O.B.E., M.B., B.S.July, 1938.
Director of Medical ServicesDr. J. E. Prideaux…M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.October, 1939.

These officers were first appointed to the Ministry in 1919–21. Their duties are mainly of a medical administrative character.

Cases presenting special difficulty are referred to the following specialists nominated by the presidents of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Surgeons:

  • Sir Walter Langdon-Brown, M.D., F.R.C.P.
  • E. Rock Carling, Esq., M.B., F.R.C.S.
  • Anthony Feiling, Esq., M.D., F.R.C.P.

the outbreak of war does not justify an increase in the rates of pension for widows by comparison with the figure on which Great War rates were based.

Photo of Mr Reginald Sorensen Mr Reginald Sorensen , Leyton West

Does the Minister not realise that the increase in cost of living means that these unfortunate people are getting less value for their money than they normally would receive?

Photo of Mr Walter Womersley Mr Walter Womersley , Grimsby

The rates of pensions granted now are greater than those granted during the Great War. The 1919 rates were based on a cost-of-living figure of 215, and to-day that figure is 174.

Photo of Mr Reginald Sorensen Mr Reginald Sorensen , Leyton West

Do I understand from the Minister that we have to take the last war as the standard for 1940?

Minister

Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.