HC Deb 14 November 1955 vol 546 c18
14. Mr. A. Roberts

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will consider amending the National Insurance Act so as not to prevent mental patients, whose detention has arisen out of criminal proceedings, from benefiting under the National Insurance Scheme.

Mr. Peake

I have had the National Insurance position of these mental patients under consideration, but it would not be possible for the National Insurance Advisory Committee to undertake the review of these provisions at this moment.

Mr. Roberts

Does the Minister really not know how stupid this anomaly is and that it is causing bitterness among the dependants of these unfortunate people?

Mr. Peake

The hon. Member has raised a point of some substance. I am told that in these cases the Board of Control is arranging for the payment of pocket money on a scale similar to that available under the Scheme to the persons detained in these institutions. At the same time, this is a matter which the National Insurance Advisory Committee ought to examine some time soon.

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