§ 77. Mr. Llewellynasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the amounts by which the National Assistance scales have been raised in the postwar period with the dates upon which they were raised; and on what dates the scales have had a higher purchasing power than they will have when the new scales are introduced, taking into account increases in the cost of living since 1945.
§ Mr. MarplesAccording to the Interim Index of Retail Prices the new Assistance rates proposed have a higher purchasing power than any past rates. Below are the figures asked for in the first part of the Question.
INCREASES IN THE PRINCIPAL SCALE RATES OF NATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR REQUIREMENTS OTHER THAN RENT, WHICH IS ALLOWED FOR IN ADDITION — Increase made in July, 1948 June, 1950 Sept., 1951 June, 1952 s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Ordinary scale Husband and wife 5 0 3 6 6 6 9 0 Single householder 4 0 2 0 4 0 5 0
§ 78. Mr. Llewellynasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many recipients of National Assistance are drawing a lower basic scale of assistance than between 1945 and 1951 in Cardiff, Glamorgan, and Wales, respectively.
§ Mr. MarplesThe present National Assistance scale rates, which are the same for all parts of the country, are higher than those operating at any time between 91W 1945 and 1951, whether under the National Assistance Act or under earlier legislation.
§ 79. Mrs. L. Jegerasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what regulations govern the action to be taken by officers of the National Assistance Board when applications are received for additional payments to meet rent increases under the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, which appear to them to be excessive and unjustified.
§ Mr. MarplesThere are no special regulations on this point. Such cases are dealt with by the Board's officers as part of their normal administrative functions.
§ 80. Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what special winter allowance for those persons who are in receipt of allowances from the National Assistance Board it is proposed to provide.
§ Mr. MarplesThe Board has no power to make winter allowances as such, but the normal weekly allowances will be increased on 7th February, if the Regulations now before Parliament are approved.
§ 85. Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the cost of giving to all in receipt of National Assistance an increase not less than that which pensioners in general will receive if the Bill, now going through the House, becomes law.
§ Mr. MarplesThis would cost about £26 million a year more than the proposed increases in Assistance scales now before the House. This estimate makes no allowance for any increase in numbers which might result from the higher rate.
§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of old-age pensioners in Cardiff who are in receipt of National Assistance and whose increase in pension will consequently be limited to 4s. for a married couple and 2s. 6d. for a single person.
§ Mr. MarplesUnder the Bill now before the House, every retirement pension at the standard rates will be increased by the full amount of 11s. married or 7s. 6d. single. Where Assistance is being paid these increases will be92W taken into account. At the latest available date regular grants of Assistance in supplementation of retirement pensions were being paid by the Board's Cardiff offices, which cover an area larger than the city, in about 8,400 cases. Some of these included the needs of more than one pensioner.