§ 6. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will make the necessary arrangements to meet representatives of the Old-Age Pensioners' Association for the purpose of discussing with their representatives methods whereby the lot of the old-age pensioner may be improved.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterWhile I am not sure whether the hon. Member has in mind the National Federation of Old-Age Pensions Associations or the National Old Aged Pensioners' Associations of England, Scotland and Wales, I can say that it is the practice of my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary and myself to see deputations from these and other bodies from time to time.
§ Mr. LewisWhilst thanking the Minister for that Answer, may I ask him whether he will arrange to see both 4 the organisations mentioned and try to treat them with some sympathy and generosity on the understanding that the House would be only too pleased to give him any sanction he may need to increase the old-age pension?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIn point of fact, neither of the organisations concerned has at the moment offered to give me the pleasure of its company. As I have said, from time to time and at appropriate times I see them and, of course, listen to what they and other people have to say.
§ 8. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the weighted list of items in which the National Assistance Board calculates its cost-of-living index for old-age pensioners.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI have no responsibility for the methods used by the National Assistance Board in carrying out the requirements imposed on it by Parliament under Section 6 (1) of the National Assistance Act, 1948, and the Board is under no duty to inform me about them.
§ Dr. KingIs the Minister aware that, while it is an independent organisation, the National Assistance Board must remain sensitive to the demands of Members of Parliament, calling attention to the needs of old-age pensioners? Is he aware that the publication to Members of Parliament of the special index which the Board uses, of which the right hon. Gentlemen's predecessor told us, should help hon. Members in pressing the just claims of old-age pensioners and attempting to soften the heart of the Minister?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAs I said last Monday, I have the utmost confidence that the Board will do the duty imposed upon it by Parliament when, in its judgment, the due time has come. As to the second part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, I must make it clear that the methods used by the Board to discharge the duties imposed upon it by Parliament are not within my responsibility.
§ 17. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many old-age pensioners were in receipt 5 of National Assistance in the city of Stoke-on-Trent in January, 1957, and what percentage this is of the total number in receipt of pension.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI regret that this information is not available.
§ 18. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many old-age pensioners in England and Wales are in receipt of pension which carries the maximum number of increments; and what percentage of the total number of pensioners this constitutes.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIt is estimated that there are at present some 125,000 retirement pensioners with a pension carrying the maximum number of 10 increments. This is 3 per cent. of all retirement pensioners. Some 10 per cent. of all persons now retiring have the maximum number of increments on their pensions.
§ Dr. StrossIn view of the interesting figures which he has given, will the Minister not agree that it seems as though very large numbers of retirement pensioners miss the boat if they wait too long? Has the right hon. Gentleman any observations to make on whether, in view of that, he does not think the scale itself could be augmented without detriment to the Fund?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAs the hon. Member will appreciate, I have given him what he asked for—the numbers having the maximum. If one takes in the lower levels of increment. as I have told the House, about 50 per cent. of men pensioners now retiring enjoy some increment.