§ Mr. Barnesasked the Minister of Social Security what recommendations she has received from the Supplementary Benefits Commission for changes in the procedure for claiming supplementary pension; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. HartPeople claiming a supplementary pension can choose to be interviewed either in the Ministry's local office or at home, and this choice is to be retained. At present, those who prefer to be interviewed at the office are asked to complete in advance a detailed written declaration of their circumstances but some old people find this difficult. I have therefore accepted the Supplementary Benefits Commission's recommendation that the declaration should in future be completed with the help of a member of the local office staff during the interview as is already done at interviews in the home. Before these interviews the claimant will have had an explanation of the details which will be required. The change will be made in the autumn.
I should add that I am sure the great majority of old people will continue to find it most convenient to be interviewed in their own homes rather than at the local office.