HC Deb 11 September 1941 vol 374 cc345-7W
Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Health the number of applications received for supplementary old age pensions since the new regulations were issued; the number granted and refused supplementations; and the average amount awarded?

Mr. Tinker

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the supplementary pension under the Determination of Needs Act stating the number of pensions paid under it, and the average amount to each person who has been awarded a supplementary pension?

Mr. E. Brown

Between 1st May, when the new Regulations were made, and 1st August, the last date for which figures are available, approximately 168,500 applications for supplementary pensions were received. In respect of these applications supplementary pensions were granted in about 142,500 cases and found not to be payable in about 22,200 cases, 3,800 cases remaining under consideration. Particulars regarding the average amount of supplementary pensions granted since the new Regulations came into force are not yet available. I hope to be able to make a statement regarding the results of the review of current supplementary pensions under the Determination of Needs Act very shortly.

Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in determining awards for supplementary old-age pensions, the term "household" is being interpreted in a different spirit from that promised when the Regulations were approved by Parliament; and what instructions have been issued to the officers on this point?

Mr. Brown

I have been in consultation with the Assistance Board, but I am not aware of any ground for the suggestion made by my hon. Friend. If he has any individual cases in mind and will send me particulars, inquiry will of course be made. I would remind him, however, that any pensioner who is dissatisfied with the decision on his application has the right to ask for his case to be referred to the appeal tribunal. As regards the latter part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service to a similar Question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypridd (Mr. Pearson) on 29th May.

Mr. T. Smith

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in a number of areas old age pensioners, particularly those living with relatives, are, under recent legislation, receiving less than they would receive by way of public assistance; that this is due to the fact that, although it was provided that any person actually in receipt of public assistance at the inception of the supplementary old age pension scheme was not to be placed in a worse position, public assistance scales have been increased since to meet the rise in the cost of living, whereas the supplementary old age pension scales remain stationary; and whether, in view of the relatively small additional expense which would be incurred, steps will be taken to remove this anomaly?

Mr. Brown

The main object of the 1940 Act was to enable all pensioners to be dealt with on a national basis in accordance with Regulations approved by Parliament. The amount of a supplementary pension to be granted in any particular case must be determined by the Assistance Board in accordance with these Regulations, and without regard to any scales that may have been drawn up by local authorities for their own guidance in similar cases.

Mr. Ness Edwards

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a widowed mother, recently awarded a hardship grant, who was in receipt of a supplementary pension at the time the weekly grant was made, has now had her supplementary pension reduced by the amount of the grant made by his Ministry; and whether he will take the necessary steps to prevent the Assistance Board from nullifying the decisions of his Ministry?

Mr. Brown

I am making inquiries of the Assistance Board and I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered resolutions and communications sent to him respecting a basic increase in old age pensions; and whether he will consider giving directions that supplementary pensions originally granted shall be increased at intervals relative to the increase in the cost of living?

Mr. Brown

I have considered the resolutions mentioned by my hon. Friend but, as I stated in reply to a Question which he asked on 17th July, it is the considered policy of the Government that the situation to which he refers should be met, not by increasing the basic rate of old age pensions, but by the provision of supplementary pensions in cases of need. So far as supplementary pensions are concerned, I cannot add anything to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Martin) on 7th August.