§ Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will set out in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total entitlement of retirement pensioners in receipt of supplementary benefits in terms of standard rate of pension, rent and rate allowances, heating, clothing, travelling to health clinics, free prescription charges, optical and dental charges, special diets, house repairs, laundry and widow cleaning allowances etc.; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. O'MalleyA supplementary pensioner living alone and receiving a standard rate retirement pension of £10, would have his income made up to £10.40 a week, plus an allowance for the cost of rent and rates—or, if an owner-occupier, mortgage interest, rates and an allowance for house repairs. A married couple with retirement pensions amounting to £16 a week would have their income brought up to £16.35 a week, plus housing costs.
The scale rates of £10.40 and £16.35 are regarded as covering all normal needs which can be foreseen, including food, fuel and light, the normal repair and replacement of clothing, household sundries—but not major items of bedding and furnishings.
Special additions for extra heating are made when there is necessary extra expense because of ill health, poor accommodation or a combination of the two. These additions are now normally 40p, 80p or £1.20 a week. Additions for special diets and domestic assistance are made only in so far as they exceed 50p, the amount of the margin included in the long-term scale rates for special expenses.
A supplementary pensioner and his dependants would be entitled to payment of fares to attend hospital for treatment; to exemption from prescription charges; and to help with charges for dental treatment, dentures and glasses.