§ 29. Mr. Manuelasked the Minister of National Insurance how many widows residing in Ayrshire are in receipt of National Assistance.
§ Dr. SummerskillI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. ManuelIs my right hon. Friend aware that even if these numbers are not available, many widows find it extremely distasteful to make up a case for national assistance, and would she look at the position with a view to increasing the basic pension in order to avoid this state of affairs?
§ Dr. SummerskillMy hon. Friend will agree, if he visits the National Assistance office in his constituency, that these widows should not be afraid to go to the officials and explain their position. I hope this Question and answer will be brought to the attention of widows in my hon. Friend's constituency, and that in future they will obtain the assistance to which they are entitled.
§ Mr. ManuelIs my right hon. Friend aware that I do not disagree with that position at all, but we are finding there are cases of widows who will not apply because it is national assistance, and we have not rid the people of the feeling which I have described? Could we not do something about it?
§ Dr. SummerskillIf my hon. Friend listens to the answer I am giving to another Question I think he will be reassured.
§ 30. Mr. Manuelasked the Minister of National Insurance if she will state the percentage of National Assistance cases who are receiving the full amount of increase recently agreed to by this House.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe full increase is being paid in about 92 per cent. of Ile cases. The remaining 8 per cent. who, for one reason or another, did not qualify for the increase include such cases as those in local authority homes and those taken over from a local authority with allowances in excess of the new rates.
§ Mr. ManuelIs my right hon. Friend aware of a case which I have sent her from Dalry where the applicant got an increase of 3s. 6d. for two or three weeks, and, although the circumstances had not altered, it was reduced to Is.? Further, is she aware that I am assured from other Members on this side of the House that there are similar cases?
§ Dr. SummerskillI cannot recall the details of every case, but I am quite prepared to look at that case again and explain why the reduction was made.