60. Mr. Jenkinsasked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of a pension under the National Health Insurance Act and the Old Age Pensions Act who applied for relief to the public assistance committee, of Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire during 1936, and the total amount of relief granted to pensioners by each of the two counties?
§ Sir K. WoodAs the answer contains a statement of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT
§ Following is the answer:
§ Returns are made by public assistance authorities which show the numbers of old age pensioners and widow pensioners
| — | Numbers of old age pensioners who were in receipt of poor relief on 1st January, 1937. | Numbers of widows drawing widows, Orphans', and Old Age Contributory pensions Act, 1936, who were in receipt of poor relief on 1st January, 1937. |
| County of Glamorgan (including the associated County Boroughs of Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea). | 13,830 | 7,425 |
| County of Monmouth (including the associated County Borough of Newport). | 4,206 | 1,587 |
§ 62. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Health whether, in his investigations into the subject of nutrition, any effort has been made to ascertain whether the present scales of old age pensions are preventing the recipients from purchasing an adequate supply of foodstuffs; and to what extent malnutrition exists among these persons?
§ Sir K. WoodSpecial dietary surveys are being undertaken in certain areas which deal with working-class families, including the class of persons referred to. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.
§ Miss WilkinsonDoes the Minister really consider it necessary to have an inquiry in order to discover whether any adult person can live on 10s. a week, with the terrific prices that are prevailing as a result of the policy of the Government?
§ Sir K. WoodInquiries on this subject are proceeding. I would remind the hon. Member that it is the same sum that was paid during the period of other Governments.
§ 63. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Health whether he has any information as to the rents paid by aged persons who are in receipt of old age pensions; and whether, in cases where the total amount of pension is 10s. per week, local authorities allow any relief in rates?
§ in receipt of poor relief on 1st January in each year. The following statement shows, for Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire, the numbers of old age pensioners and widow pensioners who were in receipt of poor relief on 1st January, 1937. I regret that the information asked for in the last part of the question is not available in my Department.
§ Sir K. WoodI have no precise information on either of the points raised, but a number of local authorities have adopted rent rebate schemes under the Housing Acts, and many have built, or are building, small houses to let to aged persons at specially low rents. Local authorities have power, on application made by a ratepayer, to excuse rates on the ground of poverty.
§ 66. Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the tabulating of the number of old age pensioners on a territorial or area basis, so that it can be ascertained what percentage of old age pensioners for each area claim and receive Poor Law relief?
§ Sir K. WoodThe proposal would involve a duplication of the records relating to 1,880,000 old age pensioners, and I do not think the considerable expense and labour which that operation would entail would be justified.
§ Mr. TinkerIf this question is to be regarded as a live question to a greater extent than has hitherto been the case, would it not be as well if we had correct information showing what localities are suffering the most?
§ Sir K. WoodI am afraid the expense would be too great.
§ Mr. TinkerYou are evading the question by using the word "expense."