§ 15. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will propose alterations to the present regulations governing the payment of non-contributory old-age pensions in view of the inadequacy of present scales of benefit.
§ Mr. PeakeNo, Sir; I see no reason for departing from the policy followed in this matter by all recent Governments. These pensions are paid by the National Assistance Board which supplements them when necessary.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWill the Minister not look at this matter afresh, with other matters? Does he not realise that a pensioner over 70 years of age, perhaps receiving about 34s. a week, is able to get only 2s. extra on the basis of the non-contributory pension and that many of them do not want to go to the Assistance Board for supplementation?
§ Mr. PeakeThe hon. Member says that many of them do not want to go to the National Assistance Board, but all these non-contributory pensions are paid by the National Assistance Board, which is, therefore, in touch with each individual who is receiving a pension of this character. The non-contributory pension is an obsolescent type, the grant of which will, broadly, come to an end in 1961. I think it would be unreasonable, therefore, to make any alteration in the conditions affecting the drawing of the pension by those at present entitled to it.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopAs the Minister admits that this is in any case a steadily reducing charge, is not that a good reason for something fresh to be done about it?