§ Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he has considered the letter from the hon. 95W Member for West Ham, North, relating to the triennial conference of the Organisations for the Blind; and what reply he proposes to make.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI received the hon. Member's letter and enclosures on Tuesday. I propose, in my reply, to point out that since 1951 the rates of both retirement pensions and National Assistance have increased to a greater extent than would have been the case if, as suggested, they had been linked to the cost of living. I shall also invite his attention to the fact that there is a special and higher rate of assistance for blind persons.