HC Deb 30 March 1939 vol 345 cc2211-2
42. Mr. McEntee

asked the Minister of Health the number of old age pensioners within the area of the Leyton and Walthamstow Employment Exchange; and what number received Poor Law relief during the 12 months to the latest available date?

Mr. Bernays

I regret that the information desired is not available. The records of old age pensioners are not kept on a territorial basis, and the returns made to my Department by public assistance authorities of the number of persons in receipt of poor relief do not contain separate particulars for parts of an administrative county.

44. Mr. Dobbie

asked the Minister of Health the number of people in the country, at the latest available date, who are in receipt of old age pension and who are also recipients of assistance from public assistance committees?

Mr. Bernays

On 1st January, 1939, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 250,291 old age pensioners in England and Wales in receipt of poor relief.

Mr. Tinker

Will the hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to this appalling figure and ask him to do something for these poor people?

Mr. Holdsworth

Is it possible to state what will be the cost for one year of raising these pensions to £1?

Mr. Bernays

Certainly, Sir, if the hon. Gentleman will put down the question.

57. Mr. Tinker

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make a statement to the House showing the amount each local authority is paying annually to old age pensioners; and what this represents in rates to each authority?

Mr. Bernays

My right hon. Friend is still awaiting returns from a few public assistance authorities giving the particulars for which he has asked. He hopes to be in a position to circulate a statement in the course of next week.

Mr. Gallacher

When the Minister gets sufficient information will he present it to the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a recommendation that these pensions should be increased?

63. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked the Minister of Health the number of old age pensioners residing in the Kingswinford Division who are in receipt of public assistance?

Mr. Bernays

I regret that the information desired is not available. The returns made to my Department by public assistance authorities of the number of persons in receipt of poor relief do not contain separate particulars for parts of an administrative county.

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