§ 35. Mr. Watkinsonasked the Minister of National Insurance what concession will be made to those pensioners who are now in receipt of payments from the National Assistance Board, but who will in due course have the amount of the increased pension deducted from their grant.
§ 38. Sir I. Fraserasked the Minister of National Insurance if she will give an assurance that where an old person, including the blind, receives an increase of retirement pension under the Budget proposals, this increase will not be adversely affected by a decreased supplementary allowance from the National Assistance Board.
§ Dr. SummerskillI would refer the hon. Members to the statement I made about National Assistance on the Second Reading of the National Insurance Bill on 26th April.
§ Mr. WatkinsonIs the right hon. Lady aware that that statement did not take us very far? In view of the great anxiety felt by pensioners in this category, will she not give an assurance that she will try to make a statement at the earliest possible moment, so that they shall know where they stand?
§ Dr. SummerskillIf the hon. Member reads my speech, he will agree that I have said all that I can say in view of the fact that I am awaiting a proposal from the National Assistance Board?
§ Sir I. FraserIs it not true that the right hon. Lady has considerable influence, including, of course, influence with the Treasury—the influence of the purse—over the actions of the National Assistance Board? Will she make sure that no old or blind people will fail to get a rise owing to the taking away with the one hand of the benefit which has been given with the other?
§ Dr. SummerskillI thought I made it clear on Second Reading that that would be the case.
§ Mr. GibsonDoes my right hon. Friend expect to get an early report from the National Assistance Board on this question?
§ Dr. SummerskillI hope so.