Talking of health, nothing will persuade me that the situation
with regard to Disability Pensions for ex-Servicemen is not a scandal. The main facts, as I understand them, are that in 1919 the basic rate for a single man who had been totally disabled in the service of his country was fixed at 4os. a week ; in 1946 this was increased by the princely margin of 5s. If you are only 5o per cent. disabled, you get 5o per cent. of 45s. It is true that you get an additional los. for a wife and a few shillings each for each of your children under 14 ; and I believe that if you fill up the right forms you can get some sort of an allowance for an attendant to look after you, though heaven knows where you get the attendant from. But these " extras " do• not seem to me to affect the main issue. I do not know how today's basic wage rates compare with 1919, but since 1939 they have gone up 64 per cent., largely in response to a similar rise in the cost of living ; the disability pension has gone up by to per cent. The figures speak for themselves, without any of the tub-thumping or tear-jerking which a subject of this kind is apt to induce. The British Legion, who I believe are agitating for the basic rate to be doubled, might consider asking the authorities to produce a budget showing just how they expect these lucky fellows to live, in 1947, on 45s. a week. To me, the whole thing stinks.
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