HC Deb 28 November 1966 vol 737 cc21-2
29. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Minister of Social Security how many people qualifying for supplementary benefits are not drawing them; and what steps she is taking to see that these people are catered for.

Miss Herbison

As regards the first part of the Question, it is not possible to say how many people will qualify for supplementary benefits when these become payable on 28th November, that is, today. Since 3rd October, when claims were invited from people over pension age, about half a million new claims for supplementary pension have been received. This indicates that the initial publicity for the scheme has been effective; measures to encourage people to claim will of course continue.

Mr. Roberts

I am sure that we are all equally glad that we are moving away from the position of the Tory Party when——

Mr. Speaker

Order. Question.

Mr. Roberts

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that finding these people must be the spearhead of our drive against poverty? Will she undertake to organise a house-to-house anti-poverty campaign, using all the facilities of her Ministry and local authorities, so that we can find in their own homes these needy people who are incapable of applying for help?

Miss Herbison

I am delighted that 500,000 people have applied and it seems so far that about two-thirds will be getting supplementary pensions. We have made great publicity efforts, and I think that this is the result. As part of our continuing effort to encourage people to make a claim, a special leaflet has been prepared for members of statutory and voluntary organisations, social workers and churches, all of whom can help greatly.

Mr. Frank Allaun

But is it not a fact that, far from everyone having become greedy and grasping, there are very many poor people who are not claiming what they are entitled to? Will my right hon. Friend therefore heed my hon. Friend's plea to see that there is a visit to the home of every person who might be entitled to such supplement?

Miss Herbison

There were more than 700,000 people who should have had a payment but who had not applied, and about one-quarter of these people were below the National Assistance level. Some were not suffering. About 500,000 have now applied, and we will continue our efforts until we have claims from all of them.