§ Sir S. Reedasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of anomalies arising owing to the different means tests for non-contributory old age pensions and supplementary pensions; and whether he is prepared to take any steps to remove them?
§ Captain CrookshankYes, Sir. Owing to differences between the statutory rules relating to the calculation of means for non-contributory old age pensions and those applying to supplementary pensions, a pensioner may in certain not very common circumstances become disentitled to a non-contributory old age pension, although he would be regarded as being in need of a supplementary pension if he had a pension to supplement. Amending legislation must await the results of the comprehensive survey of the existing schemes of social insurance and allied services undertaken by my right hon. Friend, the Minister without Portfolio. In the meantime the statutory procedure for the review of non-contributory old age pensions must continue to operate, but it is proposed in future to avoid by administrative action the withdrawal of supplementary pensions in the cases to which I have referred by granting a small old age pension which can then be supplemented under the usual arrangements to the extent justified by the pensioner's circumstances. These arrangements cannot apply to blind pensioners, who are ineligible for supplementary pensions but may receive financial assistance from local authorities under the Blind Persons Acts. In these cases pension officers are being instructed not to raise questions for revocation or reduction of pension on account of increases in the amount of financial assistance granted under the Blind Persons Acts.