§ 76. Mr. Arbuthnotasked the Minister of National Insurance how many applicants have been refused the old age pension at 70 because their means exceeded the qualifying figure by under 10s.; what was the average amount by which such rejected applicants exceeded the qualifying figure; and whether she proposes any action to deal with the hardship.
§ Dr. SummerskillI regret that the figures asked for are not available. I cannot admit that where an applicant's means other than earnings amount to the figures which would disqualify for pension, there would ordinarily be hardship. The officers of the National Assistance Board who deal with these claims can grant assistance in the exceptional case.