§ 22. Mr. Prescottasked the Minister of National Insurance what representations she has received from the National Federation of Old Age Pensioners' Associations subsequent to the recent amendment of assistance benefits.
§ Dr. SummerskillI have received a letter from one of the regions of the Federation, to which I shall soon reply.
§ Mr. PrescottCould the right hon. Lady tell the House briefly what was the effect of that letter?
§ Dr. SummerskillCertainly; they wished to have the basic scales increased.
§ Mr. PrescottIs the right hon. Lady aware that the real distress now being suffered by old age pensioners results from the perpetual increase in the cost of living? Is she further aware that the matter will not be remedied while the present Government are in power?
§ Dr. SummerskillThe hon. Member has forgotten that a proposal to increase the National Assistance scales was announced recently, and these old age pensioners, numbering 750,000, will be able to apply for the new scales.