HC Deb 26 November 1951 vol 494 cc857-8
19. Mr. J. K. Vaughan-Morgan

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that the National Assistance Board's form for claiming a non-contributory old age pension from the age of 70 is obscure in its wording and causes difficulty to many would-be claimants; and if he will take steps to have it amended.

Mr. Peake

The actual claim form can hardly be simplified. It only requires the claimant to state his name, address, date of birth and whether he has previously applied for a pension or assistance. As regards the explanatory leaflet attached to the form, I do not think it would be possible to explain the provisions of the Act with which it deals any more simply.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

Would my right hon. Friend look again at the explanatory memorandum, particularly paragraph 4, which is very difficult to understand and upon which many complaints have been made to me?

Mr. Peake

I should be most grateful if my hon. Friend would explain in greater detail what difficulty he had in understanding this form.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

My right hon. Friend will understand that I am not asking this Question on behalf of myself.

20. Mr. Robert Crouch

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is now in a position to increase pensions given to those pensioners who are in receipt of only 10s. per week.

Mr. Peake

No, Sir. These pensions were carried over from the old scheme and have no counterpart in the modern National Insurance arrangements. For most of the people concerned other and more appropriate provision is already made in the National Insurance Acts. If there are any who have no resources beyond their 10s. pension they should apply to the National Assistance Board for assistance.

Mr. Crouch

Is my right hon. Friend aware that something like half a million men and women are in receipt of this pension, people who during their working life were unable to make any contribution to a National Insurance scheme, and that 10s. a week does not go very far in these days?

Mr. Peake

This amount is only part of the transitional arrangements and, so far as the 10s. per week old age pensioners are concerned, they will all have qualified for the higher rate by 1953.