§ 7 and 13. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (1) if he will introduce the necessary legislation to ensure that all old-age pensioners, recipients of National Health and National Insurance benefits, will be able to claim back from his local offices any increases in rents paid by these people, as a result of the Rent Bill;
(2) whether he will introduce the necessary legislation to ensure that old-age pensioners and others in receipt of National Insurance may be able to reclaim from his Department additional expenditure incurred as a result of the Government's Rent Bill.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe answer is, No, Sir.
§ Mr. LewisSurely the Minister is not now as generous and as forthcoming as he was on the previous Question. Here is a tangible way in which he can show some sympathy and understanding to old-age pensioners. Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that people who are on National Assistance and National Insurance and those not in receipt of National Assistance should receive the help proposed in the Question? Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAs I told the House last Monday, so far as National Assistance is concerned, which is the final long-stop against hardship and need, there is no need for any additional provision because the National Assistance Board is already entitled to take into account in the allowances which it makes over and above its scales any changes in rent.