§ 54. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of considerable disquiet among old age pensioners 26 resident in Essex and other institutions and their relatives at the prospect of the small allowance granted out of their old age pensions being withdrawn because of rising maintenance costs; and whether he will take steps to see that the allowance is still sanctioned and the pensioners not penalised unnecessarily through the incidence of the war?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)Certain representations have been made to my right hon. Friend on this matter. His jurisdiction relates only to the determination of appeals against decisions of local pensions committees. His decision on any such appeal must depend on the facts of the individual case, and my hon. Friend will realise that my right, hon. Friend could not give any such general assurance as he seeks.
§ Mr. SorensenAm I to understand that the Ministry can do nothing in the matter, and does the hon. Lady appreciate that numbers of these pensioners previously receiving 1s. or 1s. 6d. a week now feel it to be a rather harsh effect of the war that that small sum should be withdrawn from them?
§ Miss HorsbrughI have already said in my main answer that no general statement can be made, but each individual case will be looked into.