HC Deb 24 April 1961 vol 639 c14
19. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what representations he has received regarding National Assistance Board scales for blind persons.

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

I have received a few letters, almost all in general and similar terms, suggesting that whenever assistance rates go up the differential between the special scale for blind persons and the ordinary scale should also be increased. I would refer the hon. Member to what I said on this subject during the debate on the National Assistance Regulations on 1st December.

Mr. Allaun

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the two most reasonable requests made by the National League of the Blind? Is he aware of the very deep dissatisfaction among the 55,000 blind people receiving National Assistance that they, whose needs are greatest, have been receiving only 3s. 6d. a week since 3rd April compared with 7s. 6d. a week for retirement pensioners and that their special allowance has not been raised at all?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

With regard to the hon. Gentleman's comparison with retirement pensioners, he will be well aware that those receiving this rate of National Assistance, and, indeed, all those receiving the general rates, have benefited from the 1959 increase which did not apply to National Insurance benefits. Therefore, it is not a fair comparison.

In answer to the hon. Gentleman's general point, it is a fact that the differential is sometimes increased when the scale rates move, but not always. It was in fact increased in 1952, 1955, 1956 and 1959, but not in 1950, 1951, or 1958. It is very much a matter of judgment whether the differential should be increased. The important point, of course, is that these unhappy people do share fully in the increase in the National Assistance scale rates.