§ Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many old-age pensioners there are in the borough of Barking: and how many of 70W these are in receipt of National Assistance.
§ Mr. TurtonI regret that information about the number of retirement pensioners is not available. I am informed by the National Assistance Board that at 30th March, 1954, the Board's Barking Area Office, which covers some territory outside the borough boundary, were paying 446 non-contributory pensions, of which 266 were being supplemented by regular weekly payments of National Assistance, and that 2,115 retirement pensioners were also receiving regular weekly grants of National Assistance. Some of the grants cover the needs of a pensioner wife.