§ 60. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Assistance Board has reduced supplementary allowances to old age pensioners, following the lowering of their rents by the Barking Council, after damage to their houses from enemy action; and whether he will get this policy changed?
§ Mr. E. BrownUnder the Regulations the Assistance Board in granting supplementary pensions must have regard to the actual rent paid. They inform me, however, that their attention was drawn to these cases by the Barking Town Council, and that they have decided to make no reduction in the supplementary pension for a period of two or three months during which it may be assumed that the pensioner is put to extra expense on account of the damaged state of the premises.
§ Mr. ParkerDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it undesirable that when a council takes a line of that kind the Assistance Board should take away the advantage given to old age pensioners?