LORD NUNBURNHOLMEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when they propose to raise the old age pension for pensioners who have no income above £150 a year.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (LORD ABERDARE)My Lords, no regard is had to private resources in the administration of National Insurance retirement pensions. Consequently the pensioners the noble Lord has specified will receive any increases awarded at the general uprating due later this year.
§ LORD BOOTHBYMy Lords, arising out of that Answer, may I ask whether the noble Lord would not agree that old age pensioners generally are probably the most impoverished and deserving section of the community and of all the sections of the community are finding it the most difficult to survive? Does he not think on balance that in view of the continuous rise in the cost of living there is probably a stronger case for a rise in old age pensions than for any other increases in this country at the present moment?
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, I have the greatest sympathy with what the noble Lord has said. We have promised 90 that there will be an up rating in the retirement pensions later this year. In the meantime, supplementary benefit has been increased with effect from November 2 last year. That was originally proposed by the previous Government, but with our full agreement. I may remind the noble Lord that quite recently my right honourable friend announced additional help for the aged with any special heating requirements.
§ LORD BLYTONMy Lords, since the last increase in old age pensions has now been entirely eroded by increased prices, if the review does not take place until October of this year is it not going to inflict hardship upon the old age pensioner?
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, I am aware that the value of the old age pension is not the same as it was when it was introduced. This is one of the fearful effects of inflation. I can only repeat that the supplementary benefit has been increased and has helped some two million pensioners.
LORD HAWKEMy Lords, are Her Majesty's Government aware that house coal is selling at a pound a hundredweight in the Home Counties, and old age pensioners are finding it absolutely impossible to keep themselves warm at this rate? Will Her Majesty's Government do something about it?
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, I would remind my noble friend that my right honourable friend announced in the other place on November 26 new fixed levels for weekly payments to old age pensioners who needed them for special heating. I hope that if he knows of any cases he will refer those people to the local security office.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, may I ask whether the Government will consider raising the limit of the amount of money that an old age pensioner can earn before he is called upon to pay income tax
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, that is another question, but I will certainly take the noble Baroness's point.
§ LORD ROYLEMy Lords, can the noble Lord say what "some time this year" means?
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, it means later this year.
§ LORD ROYLEMay we have a better definition?
§ LORD ILFORDMy Lords, would the noble Lord agree that the cost of electricity is a more serious burden on old age pensioners than the cost of coal?
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, that can be so in certain cases, but the extra heating entitlement is still available.
§ LORD RHODESMy Lords, may I ask whether the new review will include the ex-Servicemen who are disabled?
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, I am afraid that I shall have to ask the noble Lord to put a Question down on that matter. I cannot give an answer now.
LORD NUNBURNHOLMEMy Lords, will the Ministry of Social Security issue a pamphlet forthwith giving full details of the additional benefit to which an old age pensioner may now be entitled? On the pamphlet should be printed the name and address of the nearest information officer, and if the pensioner is immobile the officer must go to visit the pensioner on request.
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, if the noble Lord is familiar with the pension and allowance book he will know that these facts are contained in it.
LORD NUNBURNHOLMEMy Lords, I rather disagree with that answer. I have a slip of paper in my hand that comes with the pension book, and it does not clearly state to what a pensioner is entitled. If more information can be put out on an explanatory pamphlet it will be a great help for everybody.
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, we are extremely keen that anybody who is entitled to extra benefits should get them. That is one of the objects which we have very much in mind. I am afraid that I do not agree with the noble Lord that the information is not contained in the pension book. We could not possibly list all the benefits, for they are varied according to individual circumstances. But there is a note about help with National Health Service charges; there is a note about local health and welfare services; there is a whole page on supplementary pensions, with a form (which is 92 perhaps the one the noble Lord has) which the pensioner can fill up requesting help from the local social security office.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, would the noble Lord look further into this matter? It is a serious problem, particularly for old people. These forms may make sense to the noble Lord and his aides, but for older people they may prove difficult. If a simplified form could be provided, I am certain it would be of great assistance.
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, I certainly take the noble Lord's point, but I really cannot see that very much could be done which is simpler than asking someone to put a tick in a box to denote:
I should like to call at your office to talk it over. Please make an appointment for me to call. Or,Please arrange for someone to call at my home to talk it over with me.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that in this weather the problem of keeping warm is the most difficult one for old people to solve, not only for financial but for other reasons? Has he any information of the amount by which the extra concession of fuel has been taken up? If not, can he obtain that information? Also, will he see whether other means can be found to ensure that old people have access to means of getting warm?
§ LORD ABERDAREYes, my Lords; the conversion to the new levels for those with supplementary benefit who are known to have special needs for heating is proceeding. I cannot give the noble Lord exact figures, but it is going ahead and it is expected to be completed by June.
LORD NUNBURNHOLMEMy Lords, can the noble Lord tell me whether pensioners are going to receive special rights on public transport?
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, that is another question.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, can the noble Lord say how many old people died from hypothermia during the cold spell?
§ LORD ABERDAREI cannot off-hand, my Lords.