§ Mr. Wyattasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance in how many cases her Department has required repayment of £2 10s. 0d. a week on account of excess earnings by wives of pensioners on sickness benefit; and in how many of these cases the excess was less than 10s. a week.
§ Mr. PentlandI regret that the information asked for is not available. I am writing to my hon. Friend about an individual case he has raised.
§ Mr. Wyattasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she is aware that the present scale of sickness benefit for the wife and two children of a long-term hospital patient is below sub- 172W sistence level, even if the wife also earns the maximum allowed by statute; and if she will take steps to increase it.
§ Mr. PentlandThe standard rates of benefit including full increases for dependants are payable in such a case apart from a reduction of 16s. to take account of the fact that the cost of the husband's maintenance falls on the National Health Service.