HC Deb 03 June 1957 vol 571 c899
51. Sir K. Joseph

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance in how many cases local authority welfare departments have agreed with his Department for a circular from the welfare department to be included in the envelope containing the first pension issue book so as to inform those newly retired of the services available for them as has been done in the case of Salford.

The Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)

Forty-one local authority welfare departments have arranged for my Department to help in various ways to make known to old people details of their welfare services.

Sir K. Joseph

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that answer, may I ask whether he would not agree that, in view of the revelations from Sunderland and Salford, it is clear that a large number of old people do not appear to know their rights and that this form of cooperation with local authorities will be very useful?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I agree with my hon. Friend that this co-operation with local authorities is very valuable. My local offices have instruction to give help whenever they can in this way.