§ 25. Mr. Daggarasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a person who applies for an old age pension and who receives retrospective payment is refused a supplementary pension for the same period; and whether he is prepared to authorise the payment of both for the same period?
§ Mr. E. BrownSupplementary pensions are granted to meet current needs, and for the Board to pay a supplementary pension in respect of the period mentioned by my hon. Friend would be inconsistent with the terms of the Act. The Act provides that to be eligible for a supplementary pension an applicant must show that he is entitled to receive weekly payments on account of an old age or widow's pension and prove that he is in need.
§ Mr. DaggarWould the right hon. Gentleman consider the case of a man who can prove to the appropriate authority that his position is entirely the same after receiving a supplementary pension as it was before that application was made? Would he also consider payment in such cases?
§ Mr. BrownIt would have been possible to put it in the Act, but it was not done, and the Board cannot go outside the terms of the Act.
§ 29. Mr. Daggarasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the rising cost of living, he is prepared to extend the period during which the winter allowance is paid to persons in receipt of supplementary pensions?
§ Mr. BrownAs my hon. Friend will be aware, these additional allowances will be continued until the first week in April, and as they are given for the purpose of meeting any special needs due to winter conditions, the Board has no power to extend the period on the ground suggested by my hon. Friend.