§ Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Minister of Health why, in the case of an application for a supplementary pension by Mrs. Mary Powell, 23, MacDonnell Road, Bargoed, she is treated as being an occupant of her son-in-law's household and consequently scaled at 9s. and not 15s., despite the fact that she is, and has been, the tenant for many years and that when the son-in-law was an applicant for unemployment assistance a ruling was given that he lived in a separate household and was paid the lower amount of assistance?
Mr. M. MacDonaldInquiries are being made and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as they are complete.
§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the average amount of the 1,136 supplementary pensions awarded in the Greenock area up to 16th August, 1940; how many additional supplementary pensions have been awarded in this area since that date; and what is the average of such additional pensions;
(2) what was the average amount of the supplementary pension granted in the Greenock area and in the other areas in Scotland, respectively?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe latest available information shows that since 16th August, 121 supplementary pensions have been granted in the Greenock area. I regret that the figures for which my hon. and learned Friend asks showing average weekly amounts are not available.
§ Mr. T. Smithasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is no trade union or labour representative on the Yeovil Old Age Pensions Committee; and whether he will press for the appointment of a representative of the Yeovil Trades Council?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI have no information in regard to the first part of the Question. As regards the latter part,1164W the appointments are made by the borough council, and I have no authority to intervene.
§ Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Minister of Health the total number of old age pensioners; the number of applications received for supplementary pensions; how many were granted and how many rejected; and the number still under consideration?
Mr. MacDonaldThe total number of old age pensioners, including widow pensioners over 60 years of age, in England and Wales and Scotland is approximately 3,350,000. At the beginning of the Supplementary Pensions Scheme about 1,400,000 applications (in some cases covering husbands and wives) were received, on which some 1,200,000 pensioners are receiving assistance. Fresh or repeat applications are being received at the rate of about 14,000 per week, on which on the average about 9,500 supplementary pensions are granted; the remainder being rejected or withdrawn. At any one time the number of cases under consideration is about 15,000, some of which have been received in anticipation of the grant of the old age or widow's pension.