§ 50. Mr. Thorneasked the Minister of Health how many old age pensioners are receiving relief from the West Ham public assistance committee and the total amount paid out for the year ended March, 1937?
§ Mr. BernaysThe number of persons in West Ham drawing old age pensions under the various Acts who were also in receipt of poor relief was 2,595 on 1st January last, the latest date for which figures are available. I regret that the information asked for in the latter part of the question is not available in my Department.
§ 51. Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Health how many persons in receipt of old age pension have to make an appeal for Poor Law relief for assistance; and what was the total amount paid from this source for 1936 and the latest figures up to date?
§ Mr. BernaysThe number of persons in England and Wales drawing old age pensions under the various Acts who were also in receipt of poor relief on 1st January last (the latest date for which figures are available) was 214,901. I regret that the information asked for in the latter part of the question is not available.
§ Mr. TinkerDoes not the hon. Gentleman think, in view of those figures, that the time has come when the amount paid to old age pensioners should be increased and what does he intend to do?
§ Mr. BernaysI understand that these figures apply to barely 10 per cent. of the old age pension population.