HL Deb 29 April 1952 vol 176 cc401-3

2.56 p.m.

THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords, this is the third time: in a period of two years that the scales of assistance of the National Assistance Board have been raised. The general system of administration remains the same, and I do not think that I need say anything about that matter. The occasion of the present increase is the invitation extended by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the course of his Budget speech to the National Assistance Board to consider the implications of the reduction in food subsidies and its effect on prices This, however, is not the only, or indeed the major, consideration which the National Assistance Board have had to examine. I may say that the recommendations made by the National Assistance Board have been accepted by my right honourable friend the Minister of National Insurance and they now come before your Lordships for your approval. In these Regulations consideration has had to be given by the Board not only to the effects of the reduction in food subsidies but also to the general rises in prices which have taken place in the twelve months' period up to June 16, when these new Regulations will come into operation. It is hoped that sufficient margin has been allowed so that no further increase or alteration of these scales will be necessary, at least for an appreciable time.

The general increase is on the basis of five shillings a head per week for single adults. On top of this there is a special addition for blind persons and for persons suffering from tuberculosis. Here the increase is from fifteen shillings to eighteen shillings a week. The discretionary power of the National Assistance Board over the whole field will remain unaltered. I may say that, of the 1,500,000 people who are receiving assistance, about half will have their allowances increased for one reason or another. There will be no need for anyone who is at present applying to take any action, as the adjustments will be made by the Board. Perhaps, in order to avoid any misunderstanding, I should point out that payments under these Regulations will be reduced when increases are made in other spheres—that is to say, in the insurance benefits, including, of course, retirement pensions, and family allowances. In no case will the total payments be reduced, but beneficiaries will not be able to get separate increases under two different headings. In a full year, these increases are estimated to cost £25,000,000, but when the reductions which I have just mentioned come into force the estimated saving to the Exchequer will be about half that amount. I should also, perhaps, mention that persons accommodated by local authorities under Part III are outside these Regulations and no alteration has been made to their position. That will, in due course, be made by the Departments of Health in England and Scotland for the people coming in this category. Only about 20,000 are affected.

Moved, That the Draft National Assistance (Determination of Need) Amendment Regulations, 1952, reported from the Special Orders Committee on Wednesday last, be approved.—(The Earl of Selkirk.)

LORD KERSHAW

My Lords, on behalf of noble Lords on this side of the House I have to say that we welcome these Regulations which, as the noble Earl has told us, follow previous Regulations on the same subject. However, there is one point about which I should like to ask a question. Under paragraph 3 of the Regulations, the matter is left to other Regulations which have to be passed by the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland, and it seems to us that this is a departure from the usual practice, since it means that a provision made in one Order can be put into effect only by another Order, or series of Orders, being passed. If the noble Earl can assure us—and I think he can—that it will be necessary for these Orders to come before the House before they become effective, we shall be satisfied. Let me express the hope that when the question of the personal allowance— at present 5s. a week—is under consideration by the appropriate Ministers, that amount at least may be doubled.

THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords. I should like to thank the noble Lord for his welcome of these Regulations and for the absence of criticism. He will appreciate that it is undesirable for me to say anything about the personal allowance. That is a matter which the Department of Health will have to consider in due course. I can assure the noble Lord that these Regulations have been before the Special Orders Committee, who have approved the way in which they have been drawn. Any Regulations made under Section 63 of the National Assistance Act will come before the House, and if the noble Lord wishes to make any comments then it will, of course, be open for him to do so.

On Question, Motion agreed to.