HC Deb 29 January 1951 vol 483 cc57-8W
88. Mr. Blyton

asked the Minister of National Insurance if she will now increase the basic pensions of aged persons to meet the increased cost of living.

Dr. Summerskill

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 7th November last, a copy of which I am sending him.

92. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps she is taking to increase supplementary assistance for old age pensioners.

Dr. Summerskill

Any amendment of the Regulations governing assistance is a matter in the first instance for the National Assistance Board. But I would remind my hon. Friend that the current scales came into operation as recently as June last.

Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of pensioners in Cardiff who were in receipt of supplementary assistance at the latest convenient date.

Dr. Summerskill

At 19th December, 1950, in the areas administered from the Board's two offices in Cardiff, 7,351 regular weekly grants of National Assistance were being made in supplementation of non-contributory or retirement pensions.