§ 102. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of National Insurance if he has considered the reply by the National Federation of Old Age Pensioners to the letter to the secretary of that federation from the Assistance Board on 26th June, 1946; and if he is satisfied that the cost of living is adequately catered for by the present regulations affecting single persons and married couples who are old age pensioners.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsI have seen the statement to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer to the reply on this subject given on 20th June to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. William Paling), a copy of which I am sending him.
§ 103. Mr. Longdenasked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that many old age pensioners, on receiving the new scale of pension, find themselves no better off because supplementary pensions are not being provided at the commensurate level of the new standard of pension; and what steps he is taking to remedy this.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsA large majority of pensioners are receiving a higher net income as a result of the recent increase in pensions. It has, however, always been recognised that those who were already 253W receiving, by way of basic and supplementary pensions, an amount equal to or greater than the increased pension would continue to receive the same total amount as before, though a larger proportion of it would be paid as of right. Supplementary pensions are granted in accordance with need; in so far as the pensioner's income by way of basic pension is increased, therefore, the needs to be met by way of supplementary pension are correspondingly reduced.