§ Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many persons charged with family desertion and whose families have been a liability on the National Assistance Board have been traced by the Board during 1956; and what action has been taken in respect of them.
§ Miss PittThe National Assistance Board informs my right hon. Friend that records are not kept to distinguish the particular kinds of cases stated. I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the Board's Annual Report for 1955 (pages 12–17) which gives a full account of action taken to secure compliance with the provisions of the National Assistance Act relating to liability to maintain.
§ Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many persons resident in the Borough of Swindon are now in receipt of the old-age pension; and how many of these are also being helped by the National Assistance Board.
§ Miss PittStatistics of retirement pensioners are not available for local government areas. My right hon. Friend is informed by the National Assistance Board that, in an area served by the Board's Swindon area office which 161W extends considerably beyond the Borough of Swindon, there were on 18th December last 531 persons receiving non-contributory old-age pensions; 293 weekly Assistance grants were being made to supplement such pensions; and 2,127 weekly Assistance grants were being made to supplement retirement pensions. Some of the Assistance grants provided for the household of more than one pensioner.