HC Deb 18 February 1957 vol 565 cc1-2W
60. Mr. Houghton

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what recent proposals he has received from the National Assistance Board for improvement in the National Assistance scales.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

None.

61. Sir F. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to state the number of people in the county of Norfolk who were in receipt of National Assistance on 31st January, 1950, 1955, 1956 and 1957, respectively.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The National Assistance Board informs me that the County of Norfolk is served by five area offices of the Board, one of which also serves a small part of Suffolk and the precise information asked for is therefore not available. The numbers of weekly National Assistance grants issued by these offices were, however,

At 31st January, 1950 11,508
At 25th January, 1955 22,397
At 24th January, 1956 20,441
At 22nd January, 1957 21,589

63. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many retirement pensioners were in receipt of supplementary allowances from the National Assistance Board as at the latest available date.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I am informed by the National Assistance Board that in December, 1956, 927,000 weekly National Assistance grants were being paid as supplements to National Insurance retirement pensions. Some of the grants provided for the requirements of a household with more than one pensioner.

64. Mrs. Braddock

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how much National Assistance has been paid by his High Park Street, Liverpool, office to Mr. L. St. Hill, 50, Arnold Street, Liverpool, Mr. O. Henville, 18, Thackery Street, Liverpool, and Mr. E. Watts, 146, Huskisson Street, Liverpool; and under what circumstances assistance has needed to be given.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Inquiries are being made and a reply will be sent to the hon. Lady as soon as possible.