HC Deb 23 October 1967 vol 751 cc1322-3
10 and 11. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Minister of Social Security (1) what would be the total cost of giving pensioners receiving supplementary benefits the same increase in the total of pension plus supplementary benefit as was given to other pensioners from the end of October, 1967; and (2) if she will take steps to increase, as from the end of October, 1967, the total of pension plus supplementary benefit by 10s., instead of 5s., for a single person, and by 16s., instead of 8s., for a married couple.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Social Security (Mr. Norman Pentland)

The extra cost of putting the supplementary benefit rates up by the same amount as National Insurance rates from the end of this month would be about £40 million a year including some £25 million for retirement pensioners receiving supplementary pensions. My hon. Friend's suggestion cannot be accepted because the main income levels for supplementary pensioners were increased last November, when retirement pensions did not go up. The alternative would have been to deprive the most needy old people of the help they have had in the last year.

Mr. Roberts

Would not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that, irrespective of the very great help given last autumn, 1,650,000 recipients of supplementary old-age pensions are still in the sector of those in greatest need and to save a few million pounds on Polaris submarines at their expense may be in line with what we expect from a Tory Government, but is never in line with what we expect from a Labour Government?

Mr. Pentland

I have no responsibility for Polaris submarines, but I can tell my hon. Friend that the total increases in supplementary pensions rates since this Government took office represent improvements of more than 35 per cent. on the rates previously in force.

Mr. William Price

Accepting that argument, would the Minister not agree that a great many old people will get only half of what they were led to expect? In future when we increase pensions could we not make absolutely clear what they will get and not suggest that it is twice as much?

Mr. Pentland

As I have said, there was an intermediate increase in November, 1966, when we granted an increase in supplementary pensions. That and the forthcoming increase have to be taken together. It has to be recognised that retirement pensions have not been increased since March, 1965.