§ Squadron-Leader Flemingasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that when an old age pension is awarded to a person whose National Health Insurance cash benefits have ceased and the case is transferred to the Assistance Board for issue of a supplementary old age pension, the Assistance Board, in determining the amount of supplementation, must take into account the whole of the old age pension with the result that the pensioner, who was previously in receipt of National Health Insurance cash benefits, is in a worse financial position as a result of receiving an old age pension; and what steps he intends to take to abolish this anomaly?
§ Mr. E. BrownAs my hon. gallant and learned Friend is aware the purpose of a 939W supplementary pension is to supplement the original old age pension, so far as is necessary to provide for the pensioner's need, and accordingly the whole of the original pension must be taken into account. I am not clear as to the circumstances of the particular case which my hon. Friend has in mind but if he can send me particulars I will look into it.