§ Mr. Loydenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many organisations have made representations to her on the £10 Christmas bonus to pensioners; and if she will reconsider the position for 1975.
§ Mr. O'MalleyA number of representations on this subject have been received from various organisations, but a count of them is not kept. As my right hon. Friend explained to the House on 22nd May, we decided that there should not be a Christmas bonus payment this year because payments of this kind are somewhat arbitrary in coverage and excluded many deserving groups. A general unrating of benefits, such as that which took place three weeks ago, is a fairer method of distributing the resources which are available.—[Vol. 892, c. 1624.]