§ 13. Mr. Higginsasked the Minister of Social Security what studies have been made as to the desirability of compiling a comprehensive register of all those of pensionable age and over.
§ Mr. LoughlinThis has been considered, but is not thought to be a viable way of ensuring that entitlement to benefits is fully known, since it could not be based on any compulsory requirements to register.
§ Mr. HigginsDoes not the Minister agree that a register of this kind would make it easier to analyse the problems suffered by these people, and particularly those above supplementary benefit level? How many old-age non-pensioners in receipt of supplementary benefits have had their books stamped "over pensionable age"?
§ Mr. LoughlinI cannot give, off-hand, the figures which the hon. Member requested in his second supplementary question. The problem about a register which would give us the information which we require is that it would have to be a compulsory register, and keeping it up to date would be a continuous process. I am not unsympathetic to the hon. Member's suggestion, but he will appreciate that we do not want a compulsory register.