§ 28. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Minister of National Insurance how many old age pensioners in Scotland are in receipt of supplementary National Assistance; and if she will consider an immediate review of the whole situation.
§ 29. Mr. Carmichaelasked the Minister of National Insurance if she will consider increasing the National Assistance Board scales of payments to the aged and sick to meet the increased cost of living, and if so, when we may expect a report on the changes.
§ Dr. SummerskillOn 28th February last, about 50,000 assistance grants were being paid in Scotland to old age or retirement pensioners. About 11,000 of these pensioners were married men whose wives were also receiving a pension. With regard to the other matters raised, I would ask my hon. Friend to await my statement at the end of Questions.
§ Mr. HamiltonWhile I appreciate all that the Labour Government have done for the old people, will the Minister and the Government treat the question of the old people with the utmost urgency and regard it as priority number one over all the wage demands that are being made?
§ Dr. SummerskillPerhaps my hon. Friend will wait for another half-hour.