HC Deb 14 May 1956 vol 552 cc1642-4
33. Mr. Gower

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what he estimates would be the annual cost of increasing old-age pensions by 5s. per week and by 2s. 6d. per week, respectively; and what would be the approximate annual saving in National Assistance grants in each case.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The annual cost of increasing all retirement and non-contributory old-age pensions by 5s. a week would be about £62 million initially, rising to above £100 million in twenty-five years' time. The saving on National Assistance is estimated at £l5½million a year initially. An increase of 2s. 6d. a week would approximately halve these figures.

Mr. Gower

In view of the size of these amounts, can my right hon. Friend indicate whether there is likely to be in the near future an opportunity of debating the question of these pensions, with particular reference to the findings of the Phillips Committee?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Questions relating to the business of the House should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal.

Mr. Marquand

Does the right hon. Gentleman still adhere to the statement of policy made by his predecessor in December, 1954, namely, that the numbers of pensioners in receipt of National Assistance should be the yardstick by which one judges whether the pension itself should be raised? Are those numbers now not almost exactly at the level that they were in December. 1954?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I have no reason to doubt that what my predecessor said, though I have not it immediately in mind, was, like everything else he said, extremely sensible. As regards the numbers in receipt of National Assistance, I recently answered a Question giving those numbers to one of the right hon. Gentleman's hon. Friends.

34. Mr. Gower

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what variation has been made recently in the amount of National Assistance paid to old-age pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

There has been no recent variation in the general level of National Assistance scales, since they were increased on 23rd January. If, however, my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind and will let me have details. I will be glad to ask the National Assistance Board to look into them.

Mr. Gower

In view of the fact that there have been rumours and suggestions that these rates have recently been cut, could my right hon. Friend give some publicity to this reply?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

It is a fact that the rates were raised on 23rd January, and that fact is, I think, very widely known. I think there must be some misunderstanding. If anybody is under the impression stated by my hon. Friend, I hope my answer will dissipate it.

Mr. Marquand

In view of the general uneasiness about this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman consider later making a considered statement about the adequacy of benefits and National Assistance at present?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

There will, no doubt, be plenty of Parliamentary opportunities to discuss either of these matters. The question with which we are particularly concerned is National Assistance scales which, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, were raised as recently as 23rd January.

Mr. T. Brown

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any reports from the National Assistance Board concerning complaints they have received? Is he aware that there is growing disquiet in many districts about the policy now being pursued by some National Assistance officers? Is he further aware that last week in a newspaper there appeared a statement by a representative of the old-age pensioners that in some districts National Assistance Board officers were sinking to the level of the old public assistance?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

In general, the officers of the National Assistance Board discharge their extremely difficult duties in a highly creditable, generous and imaginative manner. I shall be glad to convey to the Board any specific suggestion—I cannot deal with generalities—that any particular one of its officers has not carried out his instructions in the spirit in which I know the great majority of them do.