§ Mr. SHAW (by Private Notice)asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the dissatisfaction of local pensions committees regarding the existing powers to pay supplementary allowances in respect of rent has how become acute in Scotland, and that certain committees are likely to resign in a body unless more equitable provision is immediately made to meet hard cases; whether he received a deputation of Members of Parliament on the subject last October: and what action has been taken?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Hodge)I am aware of the dissatisfaction to which the hon. Member refers, and I am glad to be able to inform him that new rent allowance regulations have been approved and are about to be circulated which I trust will meet the difficulties that have been pointed out Under these regulations local committee will be able to grant allowances for rent and for other contractual obligations up to a maximum of 12s. a week. The old restriction by which supplementary rent allowances could only be given when the rents were over 4s. is abolished.