HC Deb 23 September 1943 vol 392 cc376-7
43. Mr. Ness Edwards

asked the Minister of Health what practice is to be adopted by the Assistance Board with regard to pensioners in receipt of supplementary pensions when these pensioners enter rate-aided, rate-maintained and voluntary hospitals?

Mr. E. Brown

The Assistance Board inform me that their normal practice is to continue payment of a supplementary pension after a pensioner is admitted to hospital in those cases where the pensioner has commitments such as rent or the maintenance of dependants which cannot be met out of his basic pension or other income and in other cases to suspend payment. To safeguard the position of widows under Section 4 (2) of the recent Act, however, the determination will in all cases remain formally in force for at least six months after the pensioner is admitted to hospital.

78. Mr. Tinker

asked the Minister of Health whether he is in a position to announce when the Assistance Board will make a report on the codification of the scales of supplementary allowance to old age pensioners?

92 and 93. Mr. Daggar

asked the Minister of Health (1) when it is expected that the Assistance Board will issue its promised codification and simplification of the whole body of regulations;

(2) when it is proposed to introduce new regulations regarding increased payments to old age pensioners?

Mr. Brown

I understand from the Assistance Board that their consideration of proposals for the amendment of the existing Regulations on supplementary pensions has reached an advanced stage. I am not, however, in a position to forecast at what date revised Regulations will be submitted nor what the content of these Regulations will be.

Mr. Tinker

When can I repeat this Question, so that we shall know definitely?

Mr. Brown

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put it down when we return.

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