§ 9. Mr. Hamlingasked the Minister of Social Security what representations have been made to her about the impact of supplementary benefits on the receipt of rate rebates; and what reply she has sent.
§ Mr. PentlandA number of suggestions have been made that people receiving supplementary benefit ought to be given rate rebates. The replies have explained that this would mean double provision, since the full rates are allowed for in assessing the amount of supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. HamlingIs my hon. Friend aware mat in a recent case the manager of the Social Security office in Woolwich was most helpful, as he normally is, but will my hon. Friend take note that a lot of members of the public are not aware of their rights under the heading of rate rebates?
§ Mr. PentlandI am grateful to my hon. Friend for what he has said, but whenever a person receiving supplementary benefit would be better off with a rate rebate instead of supplementary benefit he is always advised of this by our officials.
§ Mr. WinnickIs my hon. Friend aware that I recently wrote to the Minister about some cases in Croydon and that there is still a certain amount of dissatisfaction because council tenants in a few cases are receiving less than they originally could? Will this matter in Croydon be looked into?
§ Mr. PentlandYes, certainly I will look into that.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterHas the hon. Gentleman had representations from ex-Service men's bodies about taking account of war pensions in full for the purposes of disqualifying applicants for rate rebates?
§ Mr. PentlandI must say no without committing myself too far, but I should like to check on that.