HC Deb 25 April 1955 vol 540 cc28-9W
59. Mr. Willis

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, in view of the need for financial assistance revealed amongst elderly persons in the recent Edinburgh survey, what steps are taken to ensure that all pensioners are fully informed as to payments to which they may make claim from the National Assistance Board.

Mr. Marples

As I informed the hon. Member on 4th April, I do not know on what basis these reports about financial need were made. Every retirement pensioner is advised about National Assistance by a note in his pension book, and that explanatory leaflets and application forms are available in post offices, local offices of my Ministry and elsewhere.

61. Mr. Lewis

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of persons in receipt of old-age pensions and those in receipt of supplementary allowances, respectively, at the latest convenient stated date.

Mr. Marples

At the end of March, 1955, there were about 4,800,000 retirement and non-contributory old-age pensioners, of whom about 1,160,000 were also receiving National Assistance grants, some of which covered the needs of more than one pensioner.

62. Mr. Lewis

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to give an estimate of the increase in the amount per week of the old-age pension which would be afforded by the expenditure of £155 million.

Mr. Marples

Spread over nearly 4½ million retirement pensions, it would mean an increase of about 14s. a week. In 25 years' time the cost would be £275 million a year and the annual deficit of the National Insurance Fund would be increased to £700 million.