HC Deb 20 June 1960 vol 625 cc7-8
8. Mr. Small

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state the total number of allowances being paid in Scotland by the National Assistance Board; and how many of these are in supplement of retirement pensions.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance (Miss Patricia Hornsby-Smith)

At 29th March, 1960, about 193,000 weekly grants, of which 76,200 were supplements to retirement pension.

Mr. Small

Does the Minister not agree that the figures for the applications for supplementation of pension indicate that the basic pension is far too low?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I cannot accept what the hon. Gentleman says. It has always been felt in this House that the National Assistance Board was there to help people with the minimum means, and both sides of the House have supported this.

Mr. Houghton

Does the right hon. Lady really say that it was the anticipation of this House that National Assistance should play the part which it is playing today in connection with retirement pensions?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

The hon. Gentleman is as well aware as I am that one of the reasons why these figures are higher is that the grants given under this Government are much higher than those allowed previously.

9. Mr. Small

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state how many of the registered unemployed in Scotland in receipt of National Assistance were refused aid when they first applied.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I am informed by the National Assistance Board that this information is not available.

Mr. Small

The information available to me is that there is delay sometimes of as much as a fortnight, three weeks or a month, which constitutes hardship to the individual. I suggest that it is time to review the time lag between the beginning of unemployment and National Assistance relief.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I think it is quite reasonable that many cases would not automatically qualify. In the main, when men become unemployed they will have at least a week's wages, sometimes with the addition of lying time and often with rebate of Income Tax. I do not think it is unreasonable that there should be a certain span, after they have had a substantial period of well-paid employment, before they become eligible for National Assistance.