HC Deb 04 November 1968 vol 772 cc469-70
20. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, having regard to increased licence fees for television and radio and longer hours and increased postal and telephone charges, what arrangements he is making to help in these regards the elderly and needy, by supplementary pension increase adjustments; and whether he will make a statement.

The Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Mr. Charles Loughlin)

As regards television licence fees there is nothing I can add to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Postmaster General on 14th and 21st October. On the remainder of the question I would remind the hon. Gentleman that supplementary benefit scales were increased as recently as last month.—[OFFICIAL REPORT, Vol. 770, c. 54 and 222.]

Sir G. Nabarro

But they were increased after—and long after—it was decided by the Government substantially to increase the television and radio licences. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Postmaster-General replied to me saying that the proposal for a special allowance in respect of the licence for the old and the needy was a very good suggestion? Will not he heed those sympathetic words?

Mr. Loughlin

I would not like the House to think that we were unsympathetic to this problem. Consideration has been given to the suggestion made by the hon. Gentleman, and further consideration is being given to it. If we can do so, we shall be helpful.

Mr. Winnick

I appreciate the fact that the supplementary benefits have been increased recently, but could not there be a special type of rebate for elderly people—certainty retired people receiving supplementary benefit—along the same lines as the rate rebate system introduced by the Government?

Mr. Loughlin

It seems to me that my hon. Friend prepared his supplementary question before he heard my Answer. I said that we were examining this and that we were not unsympathetic and would do what we could.