HC Deb 13 December 1949 vol 470 cc2486-8
11. Mr. Tom Brown

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he has considered the communication from the National Assistance Board concerning a review of the National Assistance Regulations in view of the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement.

12. Mr. Austin

asked the Minister of National Insurance what changes in the regulations relating to the National Assistance Board scales are proposed by his Department.

Mr. J. Griffiths

I am informed by the Board that they have sent a letter in reply to representations made to them by my hon. Friends on 7th December. The Board do not think that the change in prices since the present rates of assistance were approved by Parliament last year is sufficient to justify them at present in submitting fresh draft regulations to me. The Board are, however, continuing to watch the position closely.

Mr. Brown

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is great disquiet throughout the country, as is indicated by Questions on the Order Paper from time to time, about the suffering of these people who cannot make ends meet because of the increased cost of living; and will he, along with officials of his Department and the Assistance Board, consider this matter very seriously?

Mr. Griffiths

The Board have considered this matter very carefully on representations made by my hon. Friend and several others of my hon. Friends. I have given the Board's considered reply, to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. Austin

But in view of the fact that the Board are either unaware or unconcerned about the great hardship and distress caused through the rising cost of living, would my right hon. Friend recommend to the Board an increase of 10 per cent. in these scales, which would cost only about £10 million a year?

Mr. Griffiths

I would not accept the view of my hon. Friend that the Board are either unaware or unconcerned. Since they took over the administration of National Assistance in 1948, the Board have done a very good job indeed.

Mrs. Castle

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many old people in areas like Lancashire, which were depressed before the war, have no savings and have only these scales on which to live, and as they were already inadequate before devaluation will he treat their review as a matter of urgency?

Mr. Griffiths

I have said that the Board are looking at them. My experience—I believe the Board will confirm it—is that there are still a number of people who are not applying to the Board for assistance, and I think that those are the hard cases. Very often people do not apply because they feel it is undignified to do so. I hope that Members in every part of the House will encourage such people to apply.

Mr. Assheton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rising cost of living gives anxiety on all sides of the House?

Mr. Griffiths

I appreciate that. I am also aware of what this Government have done for the old people.

Mr. Shurmer

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of us are in much closer touch with these old people than are the members of the Board, and that the best thing I can suggest to the Minister is that the members of the Board should give a month's trial to living on the allowance?

Squadron-Leader Fleming

Do we understand the Minister to say that there has not been a sufficient rise in the cost of living to ensure a rise in the corresponding rates of assistance?

Mr. Griffiths

I had better repeat my original answer: The Board do not think that the change in prices since the present rates of assistance were approved by Parliament last year is sufficient to justify them at present in submitting fresh draft regulations to me. The Board are, however, continuing to watch the position closely.

Mrs. Braddock

Is the Minister aware that, whatever the National Assistance Board have decided, it is physically impossible at present for a person to live on 26s. a week?

Mr. Griffiths

The Board have power under the regulations to supplement the allowances.

Mr. Quintin Hogg

Were not the Board appointed to avoid political capital being made out of the sufferings of these people?

Mr. Griffiths

The Board were appointed, of course, to administer the scheme.

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