§ 30. Mr. Hugh D. Brownasked the Minister of Social Security how many new applications have been received for supplementary pensions from applicants previously disqualified because of savings.
§ Miss HerbisonI regret that it is not possible to ascertain this figure. The information obtained from a supplementary pension claimant does not always show whether he would have qualified for National Assistance.
§ Mr. BrownWould my right hon. Friend agree that in the light of an article 928 by a senior civil servant in the Daily Telegraph of 19th October it is essential that we find out how many of the new applicants would previously have been disqualified because of their savings, and conversely how many existing beneficiaries will be excluded under the new set-up because certain savings are no longer disregarded?
§ Miss HerbisonMy hon. Friend may have noticed a reply to that article, which showed very clearly that under the new scheme no one will be worse off than previously—not a single person. In answer to another Question, I shall show the results of some of the publicity we have been carrying out.