§ 1. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of old-age pensioners receiving National Assistance grants at the latest convenient date; what was the average payment per person; and the total sum paid in 1954 to this class of persons.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. Ernest Marples)At 21st December, 1954, about 1,157,000 regular weekly National Assistance grants, some covering the requirements of a household with more than one pensioner, were being paid to retirement and non-contributory old-age pensioners. According to a provisional estimate based on a recent sample inquiry, such grants to this class of persons averaged 15s. 3d. a week and totalled about £45 million in 1954.
§ Mr. DoddsIn view of what the Minister has said, does that not mean that about one million old-age pensioners who need help most will not be receiving the increase of 7s. 6d. for a single person and 11s. for a married couple, but will be restricted to 2s. 6d. and 4s. under the new scales of the National Assistance Board?
§ Mr. MarplesThat was adequately and fully debated in the House in December. The National Assistance scales that these people most in need will be receiving are higher than ever before in the history of this country.
§ Mr. DoddsThat does not answer my question. Do not the figures which the hon. Gentleman has given mean that, 666 when the new scales come into operation, this million people will get only 2s. 6d. and 4s., respectively?
Mr. MaplesThat is an entirely different question. The Question on the Order Paper asks the number of old-age pensioners receiving National Assistance.
§ 2. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of persons in receipt of National Assistance at the latest convenient date; and what was the comparable figure for 1951.
§ Mr. MarplesThe number of regular weekly National Assistance grants current on 21st December, 1954, was 1,796,000 compared with 1,462,000 on 18th December, 1951.
§ 8. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many payments were being made by the National Assistance Board at 31st December, 1954; how many were being made in supplementation of retirement, sickness, unemployment, and widow's benefits; and how many non-contributory old-age pensions were in payment as at the same date.
§ Mr. MarplesAs the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWould the Minister give the number of retirement pensioners who are being supplemented at the present time?
§ Mr. MarplesThe number of retirement pensioners being supplemented at the present time—that is, on 21st December, 1954—is 1,001,000.
Following is the answer:At 21st December, 1954, the latest date for which the information is available, the figures were as follows:
| Thousands. | |
| Regular weekly grants of National Assistance— | |
| Total number | 1,796 |
| Number of grants in supplementation of— | |
| Retirement pensions* | 1,001 |
| Sickness benefit | 138 |
| Unemployment benefit | 30 |
| Widow's benefit | 93 |
| Non-contributory old-age pensions | 315 |
| * Note: —Some of the grants provided for the requirements of a household with more than one pensioner. |