HC Deb 13 July 1937 vol 326 cc1030-2
10. Mr. R. Gibson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many married persons and unmarried persons, respectively, were in receipt of old age pensions in Scotland as at 1st January, 1937, and how many of each class were in receipt of public relief as at that date; and whether he has any statement to make regarding the steps, if any, the Government propose to take in order to make the old age pension adequate and thus avoid the clerical expense involved in double applications and administrative charges and, at the same time, safeguard the dignity of the old age pensioners?

Mr. Elliot

The total number of persons in receipt of old age pensions in Scotland at 1st January, 1937, was 264,966, and the number of such pensioners who were also in receipt of poor relief at 15th May, 1936, the latest date for which figures are at present available, was 37,020. I regret that information as to the numbers of married and unmarried pensioners is not available. I have no statement to make in regard to the last part of the question.

Mr. Gibson

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered, in relation to the subject-matter of this question, the increase in the number of aged persons received into mental institutions in Scotland in recent years?

Mr. Elliot

I am afraid that that does not arise out of this question.

Mr. Gallacher

Will the right hon. Gentleman recommend an increase in old age pensions, in order to obviate this necessity?

12. Mr. Mathers

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of widows in the county of Linlithgow who are in receipt of old age pensions and who have had their means augmented by public assistance?

Mr. Elliot

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available.

Mr. Mathers

Has not the same informaation been given with regard to other counties; and what prevents it being given in the case of West Lothian?

Mr. Elliot

I do not think it has been given with respect to other counties. I could give any information that has been given with respect to other counties, but my information is that this special information is not available.

Mr. G. Griffiths

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that the Minister of Health last week gave exactly the same figures to me with regard to the West Riding County Council?

Mr. Davidson

Will not the right hon. Gentleman make some effort to obtain this information, which is asked for in reference to one particular area only?

Mr. Elliot

I could not ask for the information with regard to a particular area; it would need to be given for all areas.

13. Mr. Mathers

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons in the county of Linlithgow who are in receipt of old age pensions and who have their means augmented from public assistance funds?

Mr. Elliot

The number of persons in the county of West Lothian in receipt of old age pensions who had their means augmented from public assistance funds at 15th May, 1937, was 827.

Mr. Mathers

Do not these figures in the county of Linlithgow and in other counties in Scotland encourage the right hon. Gentleman to press upon the Government the desirability of making such an augmentation from Poor Law funds unnecessary?

Mr. Elliot

I gave the answer to that question in replying to a previous question.

Mr. Buchanan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, if Linlithgow were even more generous to the old people, the number would be decreased?

20. Mr. Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of old age pensioners receiving extra relief from local authorities in Scotland for the years 1933 and 1936, respectively?

Mr. Elliot

The number of old age pensioners in receipt of poor relief at 15th May, 1933, was 27,786, and at 15th May, 1936, 37,020.

Mr. Davidson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of this continued increase of old age pensioners receiving Poor Law relief in Glasgow, and why are the Government refusing to old age pensioners some benefit in their alleged new prosperity?

Mr. Anstruther-Gray

Does that figure include old people in institutions receiving not only financial assistance but also care?

Mr. Elliot

Yes, Sir.