HC Deb 25 February 1957 vol 565 cc841-3
17. Mr. Simmons

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what percentage of totally disabled war pensioners do not receive any of the supplementary allowances; and if he will consider granting a comforts allowance in cases where assessments for two or more disabilities would add up to more than 100 per cent. and there is no present elibility for an attendance allowance.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

It is estimated that of about 37,300 war disabled receiving 100 per cent. pensions some 15,800, or about 42 per cent., are not qualified for any of the allowances for unemployability, constant attendance or comforts nor have yet reached the age of entitlement to the new age allowance. A considerable extension of eligibility for the comforts allowance was one of the war pensions improvements which came into force from the beginning of this month. I think those improvements went where they could do most to help and I am afraid I cannot contemplate any further extension of the scope of the comforts allowance.

Mr. Simmons

Is the Minister aware that the comforts allowance is rather an elastic kind of allowance, relying to a great extent on the Minister's discretion? Surely those pensioners whose multiple awards amount to over 100 per cent. are worthy of special consideration?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I am sure the hon. Gentleman, with his considerable experience in this matter, will appreciate that the scope of the comforts allowance was much widened from the beginning of this month, owing to the improvements that I announced in November, and in particular it is not, as the Question seems to indicate, now linked only with the constant attendance allowance.

18. Mr. Simmons

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that a war disability assessed at 60 per cent. or higher can be a major contributory factor to unfitness to continue in employment to the normal retiring age of 65; and if he will give consideration to the award of an unemployability supplement in all cases where a severely disabled man has to give up his work before he is 65 years of age because of the effects of his war disability aggravated by the ordinary ailments and infirmities of advancing years.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Yes, Sir. I am always prepared to consider the award of the unemployability supplement in cases where a severely disabled pensioner has to give up work if his war disablement is the main, although not necessarily the sole, cause.

34. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many war pensioners in receipt of a special allowance for aged disability pensioners are receiving National Assistance; and how many are in accommodation provided under Part III of the National Assistance Act, 1948.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I regret that information on these points is not available.

Mr. Chetwynd

But was it not the intention when this very welcome allowance was given that the direct personal benefit should be given to the aged disability pensioner, and is it not a fact that the people referred to in my Question, those who are receiving National Assistance or are in Part III accommodation, are deprived of this benefit, and will not the Minister really try to find out how many are involved so that he can see whether he might make some disregards so that they may benefit from it?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Questions about Part III accommodation are for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, as the hon. Gentleman will know. As to the earlier part of his Question, it is very unlikely that any seriously disabled man would be in receipt of assistance in view of the rate of pension which would be paid to him; but I have noted the hon. Gentleman's point.