HC Deb 13 July 1953 vol 517 c126W
84. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of National Insurance if, in view of the fact that the average duration of the life of man is shorter than the average duration of the life of woman, he will take steps to ensure that men shall be paid their old-age or retiring pension at an age no later in life than the age at which the old-age or retiring pension is paid to women.

Mr. Peake

No.

Mr. Hamilton

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many persons there were in Scotland, in 1952, in receipt of retirement pensions; how many of these also received National Assistance; and the comparable figures for each of the last four years.

Mr. Peake

The figures asked for are as follows:

SCOTLAND
Retirement and Contributory Old Age Pensioners National Assistance Grants payable in respect of Retirement and Contributory Old Age Pensioners
December, 1948 398,000 36,000
December, 1949 396,000 41,000
December, 1950 393,000 51,000
December, 1951 389,000 59,000
December, 1952 388,000 66,000

In some cases the National Assistance grant covers the needs of a household containing more than one pensioner.