§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the general rule regarding the amount of cash held by a retired couple before supplementary pension can be paid; and whether he is aware of the concern felt by pensioners being refused any supplementary payments whilst persons who have never contributed are granted as much as £28 per week; and whether he will take steps to assuage this concern.
§ Mr. DeanThe rules for the treatment of resources and the assessment of requirements for supplementary benefit purposes are set out in leaflet SB 1 a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member. Any retired couple whose requirements amount to £28 a week—because, for instance, they may have dependent children and a high rent—can receive a supplementary pension equal to the amount by which their resources fall short of that amount. Supplementary benefit does not depend on the payment of contributions.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give, for the latest and most convenient stated date, the number of retirement pensioners who were in receipt of supplementary pensions of £28.40p per week; and how many of these have been issued with order books guaranteeing such payments until March, 1973.
§ Mr. DeanInformation is not available in the form requested. All supplementary pensioners are paid by order-book issued in advance for up to six months.