§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that the special scale of supplementary benefits for blind persons has only been increased from 15s. a week in 1948 to 24s. 6d. a week at the present time, if he will now take steps to restore this special allowance to the 1948 value.
§ Mr. EnnalsBlind persons receiving a supplementary pension or allowance have, in common with other beneficiaries, received four separate increases in their guaranteed income since October, 1964, and they will share in the further increase in supplementary benefits which is proposed for this autumn.
The great majority of blind persons have also received the "long-term addition" of 9s. which was introduced with the new supplementary benefits scheme in November, 1966, and was increased to 10s. in October of last year. As a result, 141W the real value of their income is now substantially higher than it was when the Government took office even though the margin by which a blind person's supplementary pension or allowance exceeds the corresponding benefits paid to sighted persons has not been increased over the same period.
Where, exceptionally, a person has special expenses arising from blindness which exceed the margin provided, the Supplementary Benefits Commission can use its discretionary powers to increase his pension or allowance by the amount required.