HC Deb 27 June 1973 vol 858 cc1510-1
7. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many counties, large burghs and small burghs, respectively, operate the arrangement with the Supplementary Benefits Commission whereby a maximum of £15 rates relief is refunded to pensioners and other necessitous cases.

Mr. Younger

Up-to-date information on this point is not available centrally.

Mr. Dempsey

Is the Minister aware that the £15 disregard was fixed many years ago and that since June 1970, the date of the last General Election, the cost of living is acknowledged to have gone up by more than one-third? Is the hon. Gentleman willing to indicate to the Secretary of State for Social Services that he should give financial approval to requests by any authorities to increase the disregard by at least one-third, from £15 to £20, with a view to protecting pensioners paying rents and rates against a fall in the pound due to galloping inflation?

Mr. Younger

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's concern about this matter. He will also know that the unemployed, pensioners and others on supplementary benefit have received substantial increases during the last three years. Further, the hon. Gentleman will know that the system is an arrangement between the Supplementary Benefits Commission and the local authorities concerned. It would be for them to decide whether any change should be made.

Mr. John Robertson

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the Scottish Office has given any instructions to the Scottish local authorities about the payment of the £15?

Mr. Younger

No, Sir; we have given no instructions on that matter. Any discussions about it would have to take place between the Supplementary Benefits Commission and the local authorities concerned. It is not a matter in which the Scottish Office is involved.