HC Deb 17 February 1958 vol 582 cc830-1

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

2. Mr. BROCKWAY

To ask the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many old-age pensioners have been subject to a reduction of 5s. a week in National Assistance on account of the increase of 10s. in the weekly pension; and how many male old-age pensioners have lost the 5s. weekly allowance for tobacco.

Mr. Brockway

On a point of order. The reference in the Question to the weekly allowance of 5s. should be for a couple and not for one person.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

All recipients of National Assistance who are in receipt of National Insurance benefits will receive less by way of National Assistance than they would have done if National Insurance benefits had not been raised. The total number of retirement pensioners receiving such supplements at the latest available date is 980,000, but it is not possible to state the numbers subject to any particular figure of reduction in their National Assistance. On the second part of the Question, about 1¼ million male retirement pensioners were in possession of tobacco tokens. The value of these was, however, 2s. 4d. and not 5s. as stated in the Question.

Mr. Brockway

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the disillusion and despair of many old-age pensioners who find, despite the announced increases, that they are scarcely receiving any increase at all? Is the Minister further aware that from my own constituency I have received a number of letters from old couples whose total increase is 4s. 4d. a week? Will not the Minister look into the question of the need for giving some justice to the old folk?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I do not think the hon. Gentleman understands that on every previous occasion when National Assistance scales have been adjusted, or even when they have not, it has been the duty of the National Assistance Board to take account of all income, including National Insurance benefits, but as on this occasion we have managed to synchronise the operations the net result has been that all recipients are better off.

20. Mr. Gower

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what are, respectively, the total number of retirement pensioners, the number who are receiving retirement pensions not subject to any earnings rule, and the number under the age of 70 years, or women under 65 years, who, though retired, are doing sufficient work for their pension to be reduced on account of earnings.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

In December, 1956, the latest date for which an analysis of figures is available, there were about 4,640,000 retirement pensioners, of whom about 3,570,000 were not subject to any earnings rule. It is estimated that about 37,000 pensioners were then having their pensions reduced or extinguished because of earnings.

21. Mr. Gower

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the total number of persons in Wales in receipt of retirement pensions at the latest convenient date, the comparable number in 1948, and the annual cost of retirement pensions paid to persons in Wales at the latest convenient date and in 1948, respectively; and what is his estimate of numbers and annual cost in 1968 at present rates.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The total number of retirement pensions being paid in Wales at 30th September, 1957, the latest date for which figures are available, was about 250,000, costing about £24 million a year. The comparable figures for 31st December, 1948, were 220,000 and £13 million, respectively.

It is estimated that by 1968 the number of retirement pensioners in Wales will have risen to 330,000 at an annual cost at present rates of £42 million.