HC Deb 15 July 1968 vol 768 cc1005-6
7. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will give an assurance that she will retain those powers which enable her Department to meet fully the additional rental costs met by old-age pensioners and others on supplementary benefits when they move into dearer housing accommodation.

Mr. Pentland

I can assure my hon. Friend that there is no question of removing the statutory powers of the Supplementary Benefits Commission to meet reasonable rents payable by supplementary benefit claimants who need to be rehoused.

Mr. Roberts

Would my hon. Friend accept that single elderly people often want a second room so as to have occasional visits from relatives or friends? Would he circulate local authorities to make it clear that it is his Department's policy to have the best possible social and economic accommodation available with no extra charge to these people?

Mr. Pentland

Yes, Sir. This is a matter, of course, for the Supplementary Benefits Commission, but if, as I gathered from the tone of his supplementary question, my hon. Friend has any par- ticular case in mind and would like to draw it to my attention, I should be glad to look into it.