§ 78. Mr. Manderasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider introducing legislation to permit an increase in the amount of old age pensions during the winter period, when extra allowances for heat, light, and food are required, in view of the fact that action on these lines is already in force under the Unemployment Assistance Board?
§ Captain WallaceI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Forfar (Captain Shaw) on 1st December.
§ Mr. ManderIs not the right hon. and gallant Member aware that there is very great feeling on this subject throughout the country and that the requirements of the old age pensioners are just as great as those who are under the Unemployment Assistance Board; and will he say why nothing is to be done for old age pensioners?
§ Captain WallaceThe Unemployment Assistance Board are required to take into account the needs of applicants, but the old age pension was never intended to supply completely the needs of elderly persons devoid of other resources. If these resources are insufficient, there is an avenue to which they can go where need is the criterion, as I have said before.
§ Mr. J. MorganYou mean that the avenue is the Poor Law?
§ Mr. ManderIf old age pensions are not intended for that purpose, would it not 1367 be better to introduce legislation now to make it possible to give these old people the assistance they need?