Mr. Bob Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will undertake immediately a survey of the nutritional standards of retirement pensioners.
§ Mr. AlisonSuch a survey was carried out in 1967–68, when the nutritional status of some 800 elderly people in six areas in England and Scotland was examined. The findings are at present being studied by expert Committees.
§ Mr. Muddasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many retired pensioners are in receipt of supplementary benefits in the county of Cornwall.
§ Mr. DeanAbout 12,000 excluding the wives of male recipients of retirement pension at 18th August, 1970. In addition there were in the county about 1,500 persons (excluding wives) in receipt of supplementary pension but not national insurance retirement pension.
§ Mr. Muddasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many retired people are in receipt of State retirement pensions in the county of Cornwall.
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§ Mr. DeanI regret that the information requested is not available as the records for retirement pensioners are maintained centrally and not by local areas. However, on the assumption that the proportion of retirement pensioners to all persons over pension age in the county of Cornwall did not differ markedly from the rest of Great Britain, it is estimated that the number will be approximately 60,000.
§ Mr. Miscampbellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many retired people are in receipt of State retirement pensions in Blackpool and the Blackpool area, respectively.
§ Mr. DeanI regret that the information requested is not available as the records for retirement pensioners are maintained centrally and not by local areas. However, on the assumption that the proportion of retirement pensioners to all persons over pension age did not differ markedly from the rest of Great Britain, it is estimated that the number in Blackpool and the Blackpool area is approximately 30,000 and 20,000 respectively.
For this purpose the Blackpool area has been taken as including the Municipal Boroughs of Lytham St. Annes and Fleetwood; the Urban Districts of Kirkham, Preesall, Thornton Clevely and Poulton-le-Fylde; and the Rural Districts of Fylde and Garstang.
§ Mr. Miscampbellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many retired pensioners are in receipt of supplementary benefits in Blackpool and the Blackpool area, respectively.
§ Mr. DeanAbout 11,000, excluding the wives of male recipients of retirement pension served by the Department's two local offices covering Blackpool and district at 18th August, 1970. In addition, there were in the same district about 1,000 persons (excluding wives) over pension age in receipt of supplementary pension but not national insurance retirement pension.
Mr. Bob Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the percentage figure for the present value of the retirement pension taking 72W the figure for its value at 18th June as 100 per cent.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that his proposals recently announced for cuts in social benefits and increased charges will affect those retirement pensioners who will not be able to claim relief through the normal channels; and whether, in his forthcoming Budget, he will take steps to see that on production of a retirement pension book all welfare services shall be given free.
§ Mr. AlisonOur policy is that help should be given when it is needed, and the measures recently announced secure this. Thus all people aged 65 and over are exempt from prescription charges and anyone in receipt of supplementary benefit or whose resources are not much above that level can receive help with any National Health Service charges he may have to meet.