LIVELY SCENES IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 April 1949, Page 5

LIVELY SCENES IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON, April 28 (Rec. 6 p.m,)— There were heated scenes in the House of Commons when the Labour member for Cardigan, Mr. E. R. Bowen, introduced a private members’ motion asking the Government to set up a Royal Commission to investigate the adequacy of British war pensions and allowances.

Government Whips had previously asked a number of Labour members who had signed a similar motion in the name of Sir lan Fraser to with, draw their support. Some 15 did so, but 50 refused.

An angry scene occurred when, after Mr. Bowen had introduced his motion, a fellow Labour member, Commander Pursey (Hull East) described the campaign supporting a demand for increased war pensions as "chicanery” and accuused the British Legion, which has strongly supported the campaign of “specialising in the encouragement of scroungers.” When Mr. Beverley Baxter (Conservative, Wood Green) heatedly interjected: “That is a caddish thing to say," he was told by the Deputy Speaker (Major Milner) that he must withdraw /he remark. Mr. Baxter: I am president of my own British Legion branch and I know the quality, heroism and patriotism of the men. To hear a member speaking of my ex-servicemen in those terms is a contemptible and caddish act. on his part.

On again being asked by the Deputy Speaker to withdraw the word "caddish” Mr. Baxter said he would rather withdraw from the House than do so. He then left the Chamber. Immediately afterwards Mr. Baxter who was to act as host at a dinner party in the House, was approached by the Serjeant-at-Arms and informed that he must leave the precincts as well as the Chamber. Although he asked for permission to remain in order to receive his guests, this was refused, and he was ushered out by a sergeant and a policeman. The Parliamentary-Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions, Mr. C. J. Sim-* mons, replying to the debate on Mr. Bowen’s motion, said there was no need to increase the present pension rates because improved social services and other measures taken by the Government had greatly increased the relief available to pensioners. He claimed that it. was unjust to cast the Minister of Pensions in the role of “scrooge”—he would be better cast as "Wilfred Pickles" (well-known radio star whose phrase ‘Give Them the Money’) has become a national catchword in Britain.

Mr. Simmons said that in the past three years the Government had made more than 50 improvements in war pension scales. One disparity which would be immediately removed was the difference between the pension payable to a First World War widow (26s a week) and that payable to a Second World War widow (35s a week). From the first pay day in June only the higher rate would apply.— Special N.Z.P.A. Correspondent.