§ Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of National Insurance, whether he will give details of the discretionary payments paid by the National Assistance Board, giving the amount and number of cases involved; and the percentage of all National Assistance payments represented by these discretionary payments.
§ Mr. SteeleThe National Assistance Board estimate that out of 1,130,000 weekly allowances about 310,000, i.e., over 27 per cent. are increased because of special circumstances. Such increases are sometimes made in respect of more than one item of special expense, and the total number of items is about 400,000 as follows:
Laundry 50,000 Domestic assistance other than laundry 85,000 Special diet 130,000 Extra fuel 10,000 Other needs 25,000 400,000 These increases cost about £3,400,000 per annum.
In addition, during the twelve months ended October, 1949, 95,000 lump sum grants were made, at a cost of £333,000, to provide clothing, bedding, etc., for persons in exceptional need thereof.