HC Deb 28 January 1963 vol 670 cc138-9W
83. Mr. Hunter

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what proposals he has received from the National Assistance Board for increasing allowances for coal or heating for persons receiving National Assistance.

Mr. N. Macpherson

None. National Assistance allowances, which include provision for normal fuel requirements all the year round, were increased last autumn, and additional fuel allowances are provided to meet special needs in more than 400,000 cases. I understand that the Board has recently asked its local offices to be especially alert to recognise cases of hardship arising from the present severe weather.

84. Mrs. Castle

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what steps he is taking to ensure that old age pensioners are able to purchase an adequate supply of coal this winter.

Mr. N. Macpherson

I presume that the Question refers to old people eligible for National Assistance. National Assistance allowances, which include provision for normal fuel requirements all the year round, were increased last autumn, and additional fuel allowances are provided to meet special needs in more than 400,000 cases. I understand that the Board has recently asked its local offices to be especially alert to recognise cases of hardship arising from the present severe weather.

Mr. Sydney Irving

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many persons are at present in receipt of supplementary grants from the Dartford Area office of the National Assistance Board; and how this number compares with the numbers issued in each of the last three years.

Mr. N. Macpherson

The number of weekly National Assistance allowances payable in this area as supplements to non-contributory old age pensions, retirement pensions and other benefits under the National Insurance Acts was 3,202 at 18th December last, and 2,957, 2,999 and 2,713 respectively at the comparable time in 1961, 1960 and 1959. In some instances a supplement to noncontributory old age pension or retirement pension provides for the needs of a husband and wife who are both pensioners.