HC Deb 22 August 1940 vol 364 cc1465-7
78. Mr. Rostron Duckworth

asked the Minister of Health the number of old age pensioners who have qualified for a supplementary pension; and how many cases are still under consideration?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I am informed by the Assistance Board that up to and including 14th August, the latest date for which information is available, approximately 1,000,000 supplementary pensions had been granted. Precise information with regard to the number of cases still under consideration at that date is not available, but the figure did not exceed 20,000 and consisted mainly of new applications received in the two or three days immediately before 14th August.

Mr. Gallacher

Will the Minister prepare a table giving not only the number of those who receive pensions, but the number who have received the full amount, and the minimum which has been granted? I know of one widow who was unable to—

Mr. Speaker rose

79. Mr. Dunn

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that payments of all sick pay from friendly societies are being taken into account by the Unemployment Assistance Board's officers when making assessments for supplementation of old age pensions; and whether he will take the action necessary to put an end to this procedure as being contrary to the regulations governing supplementation of pensions?

Mr. MacDonald

The Assistance Board inform me that they have no reason to believe that their officers are not observing the provisions of the Act and Regulations relating to the treatment of friendly societies sick pay under which the first 5s. is disregarded. If the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind and will let me have particulars, I shall have inquiry made.

Mr. Dunn

Is the Minister aware that in the whole of the Yorkshire area, officers of the Unemployment Assistance Board are refusing to disregard small sick payments of the Yorkshire Miners' Association?

Mr. MacDonald

If the hon. Member will give me particulars, I will have inquiries made, but the position is as I stated in my reply.

Mr. Collindridge

Does the Minister agree that these officers should differentiate between sick pay and superannuation?

Mr. MacDonald

That is another question.

81. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health how many protests he has received respecting claims for supplementary old age pensions rejected on the ground that the household income of relatives by marriage, and with whom the applicant is living, is too high; how many of such cases have been rejected; and whether he is aware of the widespread public feeling on the matter?

Mr. MacDonald

The number of applications for supplementary pensions made up to 14th August was approximately 1,400,000, and of these cases there were about 400,000 in which no supplementary pension was granted. It is not possible to say in how many cases the grounds of refusal were those referred to by the hon. Member. I have received some correspondence on this point, but its volume does not suggest that there is any strong feeling on the matter so far as the great majority of applicants are concerned.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the Minister realise that many men object when they marry to marrying the family as well, and, as there is no legal liability on the part of these men, will he not look into this particular aspect?

Mr. MacDonald

That is a matter which was settled by Parliament after long Debate some time ago.

Mr. Sorensen

Will not the right hon. Gentleman revise the whole matter?

Mr. Lipson

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the fact that 400,000 applications have been rejected suggests there is something wrong with the Regulations?

Mr. MacDonald

I think the hon. Member would have been surprised if, at the time the Regulations went through this House, it was known that they would allow of payments to 1000,000 pensioners.

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