HC Deb 07 August 1941 vol 373 cc2144-6W
Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health if he will inquire into the circumstances attending the refusal of supplementary allowance to Mrs. Marian Ben well, 5, Hopes Green, London Road, South Ben-fleet, Case Paper No. 15/24/03103; and whether, as the woman is an old age pensioner and the working daughter is not in good health, he will have the matter reconsidered?

Mr. E. Brown

I am informed by the Assistance Board that a supplementary pension was not refused in Mrs. Benwells case, but has in fact been in payment since August last year. Owing to an error, her new supplementary pension book relating to the period from the week commencing 21st July did not reach her at the proper time. The book has now been issued.

Mr. E. Smith

asked the Minister of Health if he will give what statistical information he can on the results of the supplementary pensions allowed under the Determination of Needs Act, 1941, in particular, the number of applicants, number allowed, average payments and the average payments made in each administrative area, respectively?

Mr. Brown

Between 1st May, when the Amendment Regulations were made, and the 4th July, the latest date for which figures are available, approximately 137,500 applications for supplementary pensions were received. It is not possible to state precisely how many of these applications were made solely in consequence of the new legislation, but it is estimated that they were rather less than one-half of the total. During the period referred to supplementary pensions were granted in about 114,500 cases and found not to be payable in about 18,000 cases, 5,000 cases remaining under consideration. Particulars regarding the average amount of supplementary pensions during the period in question are not available, and the information asked for by my hon. Friend could not be obtained now without a disproportionate expenditure of time. As I informed my hon. Friend in reply to a similar Question on 2nd July, 1941, the Assistance Board propose to submit a special report on the operation of the new Act as soon as possible after the end of the year, and this report, though not necessarily in the form asked for by him, will include all available statistical information.

Mr. Smith

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that all the undertakings given before the Determination of Needs Act was passed into law are being carried out in all areas?

Mr. Brown

The administration of the Determination of Needs Act is a matter for the Assistance Board, but so far as I am aware, it is being conducted everywhere in accordance with the undertakings given during the passage of the Bill. If, however, my hon. Friend has any particular point in mind and cares to communicate it to me I will have inquiries made.

Mr. Smith

asked the Minister of Health whether he intends to bring forward before the Recess a revision of the Regulations that determine the supplementary pensions allowed under the Determination of Needs Act, 1941, or on what date it is intended to revise the regulations in the light of experience gained by administration?

Mr. Brown

As my hon. Friend knows, proposals for any amendments of the Regulations governing supplementary pensions are primarily a matter for the Assistance Board. I am not aware that the Board have any such proposals in mind at the present time.

Mr. Smith

asked the Minister of Health whether he will have an investigation made of the results of applications for a supplementary pension of people who are not householders and are living with others?

Mr. Brown

As my hon. Friend is aware the Assistance Board has undertaken to make a report after the end of the year on the working of the Determination of Needs Act and, pending that report, I am not aware of any reason for making a special investigation into the point mentioned.

asked the Minister of Health precisely upon what basis

Mr. Smith supplementary pensions are determined for applicants who are not householders and are living with other people?

Mr. Brown

The supplementary pension of an applicant living as a member of a household if he is not the householder is in the normal case determined on the basis of the appropriate scale rate as set out in the Regulations, together with a sum not exceeding 5s. equivalent to his share of the rent.