§ 22. Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state the number of pensioners in receipt of National Assistance for each month of the present year up to the most recent monthly count.
§ Mr. PeakeAn analysis of the recipients of National Assistance grants giving information of the kind asked for 1031 is made only quarterly. With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures for
| — | December, 1954 | March, 1955 | June, 1955 | September, 1955 |
| Number of regular weekly national assistance grants in supplementation of retirement and non-contributory old age pensions | 1,158,000 | 1,159,000 | 1,050,000 | 1,039,000 |
| Note:—Some of the grants provided for the requirements of a household with more than one pensioner. |
§ 23. Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what has been the amount paid out by the National Assistance Board for supplementary pensions each month this year, up to the most recent return.
§ Mr. PeakeThe National Assistance Board regrets that the information asked for is not available. The Post Office records of payments on the Board's behalf do not distingush the amounts paid to different categories of recipients of assistance.
§ 24. Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the national average of supplementation paid to pensioners in January, 1955; and what was the national average at the most recent available date.
§ Mr. PeakeThe National Assistance Board informs me that information of the kind asked for is usually obtained only once a year, but information is available which shows that the average amount paid in supplementation of retirement and non-contributory old-age pensions was 15s. 3d. at the end of 1954 and 12s. 5d. at the end of June, 1955.
§ 26. Mr. J. Patonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of recipients of National Assistance who also received additional help in kind through the exercise of the local officer's discretion during September, 1954, and September, 1955, respectively; and what percentage of the total recipients of National Assistance these figures represent in each year.
§ Mr. PeakeThe National Assistance Board regrets that the number of persons who are given assistance in kind is not known, but states that this form of assistance is rarely used.
§ December, 1954, and March, June and September, 1955.
§ Following are the figures:
§ Mr. PatonI did not hear the last part of the Answer, but I will not ask the Minister to repeat it. Is he aware that, rightly or wrongly, there is a pretty widespread feeling in different parts of the country that there has been a change of policy with regard to the use of the discretionary power; and can he say that that impression is a wrong one? Instead of waiting for the review that we are promised, is he able to indicate to the House now what the trend is with regard to these figures?
§ Mr. PeakeI can categorically deny that there has been any change of policy at all regarding discretionary additions to National Assistance payments. The regular autumn sample count is now in progress, and the figures will be available very shortly.
§ 36. Mr. T. Brownasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why the discretionary powers vested in the National Assistance area officers, under the 1948 Act, in dealing with hard cases, have been transferred to the regional officers at the regional offices.
§ Mr. PeakeThe Board informs me that the discretionary powers of their area officers have been in no way curtailed. The very extensive use which is made of these powers can be seen from the figures given in the Board's Annual Report for 1954.
§ Mr. BrownThe Minister cannot ride off on that answer. Is 0the right hon. Gentleman aware that the discretionary powers conceded to area officers have now, in many cases, been transferred to the regional officers? The regional officers are having meetings with the area officers and are laying down what they should do, how they should do it, and why they should do it. In view of the 1033 reports reaching us from time to time, will the Minister have some inquiries made in the regions of Lancashire, Westmorland and Cumberland, and try to find out what is actually happening?
§ Mr. PeakeThe hon. Gentleman is, I think, misinformed, because the Board tell me that references of these types of case to regional offices are fewer than ever before.
§ Mr. BrownOn a point of order. In view of the apparent complacency and the high degree of stupidity on the part of the Minister, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.