§ Mr. Pitmanasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost in a full year of increasing the level of National Assistance Board payments by £1 a week for those aged 70 46W years or over; and what the further cost of additions of 10s. at 75, 85, and 95 years of age.
§ Miss PittIt is estimated, on the basis of the numbers of National Assistance grants current in December, 1958, that the cost in a full year of increases of the kinds specified would be approximately as follows:
£ £1 a week for recipients of grants aged 70 years or over 42,250,000 10s. a week for recipients of grants aged 75 years or over 14,250,000 10s. a week for recipients of grants aged 85 years or over 2,500,000 10s. a week for recipients of grants aged 95 years or over 150,000 The estimates take no account of the additional cost of assisting people who though not now eligible might qualify if the rates were increased.