HC Deb 16 April 1962 vol 658 cc15-6
17. Mr. Wainwright

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would need to be added to the present National Assistance scale rate in respect of a husband and wife, who are both blind, to regain the value that the sum had on the date of the announcement of the last increase.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

7s. 1d.

Mr. Wainwright

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that these unfortunate people should not have their rates decreased in terms of real value? Does he not think that in this affluent society we should be increasing these amounts in real value terms? Since they cannot receive any increments between Budgets, would it not be good idea to review their position every six months so that their rates might be adjusted, a step which would help them to enjoy a better life?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I said in reply to an earlier Question that the amount paid to these singularly unfortunate people, of whom there is a limited number, is watched carefully by the National Assistance Board—not every six months, but the whole time. Any question of what is the special scale rate, particularly in a case of grave misfortune such as that which the hon. Gentleman described, is very nearly an academic point, because it is the duty of the National Assistance Board to look after these people and see that they get what they really need.

Mr. Ross

Did the Minister say in his original reply that the loss in value was 7s. 1d.? If so, can he say what increase they got last year?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

They got the same increase last year as everyone else.

Mr. Ross

Five shillings, which means that these people are worse off now than they were eighteen months ago. Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that something should be done for them as well as for the others on National Assistance?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

First of all, I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's figures of bare scale rates. If he had listened to my earlier Answer, he would know that they are not worse off than they were eighteen months ago but that they are receiving the greatest care and solicitude from the Board.