HC Deb 20 August 1940 vol 364 cc1108-10
27. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Assistance Board Appeal Tribunal, when considering applications for supplementary old age pensions by pensioners who take in boarders, determine what shall be spent per week on the food of the boarders; and whether he will consider amending the regulations to put an end to a practice which offends the boarders and deprives pensioners of supplementation and is thereby causing widespread dissatisfaction?

Mr. E. Brown

The Board inform me they are not aware of any such practice on the part of appeal tribunals. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind and will give me particulars, I will ask the Board to make inquiries.

Mr. Kirkwood

If I give to the right hon. Gentleman evidence putting the facts as I have stated them in the Question, will he go into them?

Mr. Brown

Certainly, and I will ask the Board to deal with the matter at once.

28. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the working of the Supplementary Old Age Pensions Act, and particularly the anomalies and hardships which have arisen; and whether he will call for a report from the appeal tribunals, with a view to remedying the hardships arising from children being penalised for looking after their infirm parents?

Mr. Brown

The first payments of supplementary pensions were made on 5th August. At that date, the number granted in Scotland was 92,700. No pensioner is worse off than previously, and many have had increases. On my present information I see no reason to ask the Board to take the special action which my hon. Friend asks for, but I shall be glad to look into any cases which had him to think that hardship is being caused, if he will give particulars. My hon. Friend did give me particulars just now, and I am having them looked into.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware of the very strong feeling that exists throughout the country about the operation of the means test in respect of old age pensioners?

Mr. Brown

For a number of years there has been strong feeling, but there have been other points of view as well.

29. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that many pensioners, owing to their age, are not physically capable of standing up to examination before the Assistance Board Appeal Tribunal under the household means test, as applied for the determination of supplementary pensions; and whether he will consider making such administrative arrangements as will prevent these old people having to appear before a committee, which is an ordeal for them?

Mr. Brown

Arrangements of the kind suggested by the hon. Member have already been made. Under the Supplementary Pensions (Appeal Tribunals) Rules, dated 8th June, 1940, it is provided in paragraph 6 that the person concerned in an appeal may be represented by a friend if, by reason of infirmity or for some other good reason, he himself is unable to attend the hearing.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is the right hon. Gentleman a aware that the information placed before me is that the treatment meted out to old people as a result of the means test is harsher than at any other tribunal?

Mr. Brown

Long experience of appeal tribunals shows that they generally treat old people with great consideration; but my hon. Friend did promise to give me a case, and I will have it looked into.