§ 111. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if, in view of the fact that extra benefits are inappropriate under the National Insurance Scheme, he will, in order to impart some Christmas spirit, take steps to make 46W a grant to all old-age pensioners during the week before Christmas, through the National Assistance Board, of an extra voucher equivalent to the weekly amount they now receive from the Insurance Fund.
§ Mr. MarplesNo. The powers of the National Assistance Board to grant allowances are governed by regulations approved by Parliament and these regulations contain no power to make extra payments of this kind.