HC Deb 19 September 1940 vol 365 cc190-2
67. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for supplementary grants have been made by old age pensioners to the Cowdenbeath assistance tribunal since the regulations came into force; how many of such applications have been refused; how many have been paid the maximum scale; and how many have received a reduced rate?

The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Westwood)

In the Assistance Board's administrative area of Cowdenbeath there were, up to 16th August, 1,542 applications for supplementary pensions; in 1,163 cases, supplementary pensions were awarded, and in 379 cases pensions were either refused or the applications were withdrawn. Information as to the amounts granted in the area is not available.

Mr. Gallacher

Is there no way in which the Minister can make the information available, because it is important that Members should understand just how many people are receiving full supplementary benefit and how many are receiving very small sums?

Mr. Westwood

So many duties devolve upon those who are responsible for administration at the present time that it is wise not to press for things which may be unnecessary. If it is found, however, that these things can be made available without exceptional trouble, I certainly will consider the point which has been mentioned. I will look into the matter, and see whether excessive work will be caused by making the information available.

68. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Cowdenbeath assistance tribunal have refused Mrs. Elspeth Anderson, an old age pensioner depending solely on her pension, any supplementary grant, on the grounds that she is living with her daughter, although Mrs. Anderson pays rent to her daughter, who is not in a position fully to maintain her; whether he is also aware that the tribunal decided that Mrs. Anderson's needs were 3d. per week in excess of her resources, but that as this sum was so small there was no need to grant any supplementary allowance at all; and whether he will take steps to ensure that more generous treatment is meted out to old people coming before this and similar tribunals?

Mr. Westwood

I understand that, in the view of the officer of the Assistance Board, the pensioner was a member of her daughter's household, which consists of the two adults and two children. The total income of the household is £4 a week and the rent 7s. 4d. It was decided that, under the regulations, no supplementary pension was payable, and this decision was confirmed by the appeal tribunal. Under the Act, I have no power to interfere with the findings of appeal tribunals or to issue directions to them.

Mr. Gallacher

Is not the Minister aware that this is a typical case of a married woman with two children who took in her aged mother, that the mother contributes her share and there is a common household? Is it not clear that the daughter in this case is not actually responsible for maintaining her mother?

Mr. Westwood

I have tried to give the facts in connection with this case. Mrs. Anderson is a widow of 69 and has lived for the last eight years with her daughter. I do not want to go into the details now. The responsibility is entirely one for the Assistance Board. If hon. Members can bring to the notice of the Secretary of State for Scotland or the Minister of Health information to show that the intention of Parliament is not being carried out, we will look into the matter to see that that intention is carried out, as I have already pointed out we have done in this case. I have no power to interfere with the appeal tribunals or to issue directions to them.