§ 6. Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of National Insurance if he has considered the hardship caused to old age pensioners in receipt of only 10s. weekly and who have continued in employment, when they fall sick and are refused either sickness benefit or a temporary increase in their pension to 26s. and are told to apply for help to the National Assistance Board, which they do not wish to do; and will he take steps to remove this grievance.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe position of these 10s. pensioners is the same as that of all insured persons who reached pension age before 5th July, 1948, and I cannot vary it in the ways suggested. The supplementation of insurance benefits in appropriate cases is one of the objects of the scheme of National Assistance, and special arrangements are in force to ensure that these 10s. pensioners are made aware of the position. If the hon. Member has any individual case in mind I should be glad to have particulars.
§ Mr. LipsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in present circumstances it is in the national interest that these people should continue in employment? Cannot we take a more generous view of their request that they should get sickness benefit when they are ill?
§ Mr. GriffithsThe Act lays it down that persons who were over 65 on 5th July cannot become contributors under the new scheme.