§ Mr. Martinasked the Minister of Health whether he is yet able to report any steps by the Unemployment Assistance Board to relieve persons on public assistance, old age pensions, & of some of the burden inflicted on them by the rise in the cost of living?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am informed by the Assistance Board that they have had this matter under very careful consideration. They note the extent to which the cost of living index number has increased since the Supplementary Pensions Regulations came into force, and have had regard to the reasons for that increase and the nature of the commodities to which it is attributable. In the result, they have decided that they would not be justified in proposing any alteration of the Regulations at the present time. They intend, however, to keep the position under close and constant review. Public assistance is, of course, a matter for the local authorities.
§ Sir J. Wardlaw-Milneasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increased cost of living, it is his intention to review the necessity of increasing the rates of billeting allowances, particularly those which have not been altered since the rates were first settled?
§ Mr. BrownI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Abertillery (Mr. Daggar) and Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 12th June and to the statement which I made in this House in the Debate on the Adjournment on 9th July.