HC Deb 24 July 1975 vol 896 cc333-4W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she is satisfied that no hardship is caused by

1970 1971 1972 1973
(i) Health visitor 61.8 69.9 84.0 83.6
(ii) District nurse 88.7 94.6 136.1 138.0
(iii) Chiropody (at all places) 138.6 147.1 154.0 157.6

The number of persons treated by a chiropodist at their homes is not separately classified in the total number of cases treated. Due to a change in definition, figures from 1972 for health visitors and district nurses are not comparable with earlier years. The information in respect of Scotland and Wales was given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for

the system employed in cases where widows find themselves liable for the payment of income tax whilst simultaneously receiving supplementary pension.

Mr. O'Malley

Supplementary benefit itself is not taxable and there is no tax liability where the person's only other income is national insurance widow's pension. In the occasional case where a person is liable for tax on other income it is the net amount of income, after deduction of tax, that is taken into account when assessing supplementary benefit. This normally causes no difficulty, and I understand that my hon. Friend has recently been in touch with the local social security office about a particular case in which arrangements are being made to adjust the supplementary benefit in payment to take account only of the net other income received.