§ 42. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what action is to be taken to deal with the present plight of many old age pensioners who, because of the inadequacy of the present scales, are suffering hardship.
§ Mr. PeakeI would remind the hon. Member that it has always been recognised that pensioners who have little or no resources beyond their pensions can apply to the National Assistance Board for supplementation if they find the pension is insufficient.
§ Mr. DoddsIs the Minister aware of the growing distress among old age pensioners who do get the maximum from both sources? Does he think that his attitude this afternoon conforms with the promise made to pensioners at the General Election in the document from the Conservative Central Office—"Retirement Pensions Order Book"—which finishes by saying:
When a Conservative Government is returned the position of all pensioners—including war pensioners—will be reviewed. It is part of Conservative policy to see that help goes to those who need it—and that it goes in time. Those who need it most will get it first.Does the Minister feel that he is dealing properly with the question of old age pensioners?
§ Mr. PeakeYes. We carried out our Election pledges in that regard, and the standard of living of those who have to go for supplementation is higher today than in October, 1951, when we were elected.
§ Mrs. BraddockIs the Minister aware that old people require warmth and that the recent increase in the price of coal is causing considerable distress among very many retirement pensioners? Will he see whether he can give instructions to the Assistance Board that the amount allowed for coal is increased forthwith?
§ Mr. PeakeThe hon. Lady knows perfectly well that the Assistance Board make a very large number of grants for exceptional need.
§ Mr. DoddsOwing to the unsatisfactory answer, I give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.
§ 43. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance by how much the cost of living and the scale of retirement pensions, respectively, have risen since 5th July, 1948: by how much the cost of living has risen since the present scale of retirement pensions was fixed; and if he will bring forward proposals to alleviate the position of retirement pensioners.
§ Mr. PeakeSince July, 1948, the retail price index has risen by 29.7 per cent. and the standard rate of retirement pension has been increased by 25 per cent. for a single person and by 28.6 for a married couple. Since the current rates of retirement pension were fixed in June, 1952, the retail price index has risen by 1.7 per cent. I do not think that a rise of this order calls for any alteration in benefits provided under the Insurance scheme.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs it not clear from these figures that the cost of living has been rising faster than the pensions and that the pensions today are, quite clearly, less adequate than when they were fixed in 1948? Will the Minister, therefore, not establish immediately an investigation into the facts and into the statements of the Old Age Pensioners' Association and Federation? Does he not know that the overwhelming majority of people no longer regard the pensions as adequate?
§ Mr. PeakeWhat we did last year was, broadly speaking, to restore to the pension the purchasing power it enjoyed in July, 1948. After July, 1948, as hon. Members know, the purchasing power of the pension fell steadily until October, 1951, when the party opposite were dismissed from office.
Mrs. SlaterIs the Minister not aware that the rise has taken place much more rapidly in the price of food and that it is for food prices that the old age pensioner needs the increase?
§ Mr. PeakeIf the person seeking assistance from the Assistance Board were to spend all the extra money on food, and on food alone, he would still be better off than in October, 1951.
§ Mr. HamiltonWhat about paying the rent?