51. Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Minister of Social Security whether she will take steps to amend the regulations relating to the calculation of supplementary pensions so as to disregard the extra pension obtained by those who work beyond the age of 65.
§ Mr. PentlandNo. To disregard part of the retirement pension would not be consistent with the principle that Supplementary Benefits should be complementary to the National Insurance Scheme.
§ Mr. Gregor Mackenzieasked the Minister of Social Security what further action she proposes to take to ease the 5W burden on retirement pensioners who are compelled to buy smokeless fuel because they live in designated smokeless fuel areas.
§ Mr. PentlandWhere the standard long-term addition for Supplementary pensioners is insufficient for unavoidable extra expenditure on heating, or the pensioner has difficulty when first using smokeless fuel, the Supplementary Benefits Commission will consider making additional payments.