§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the concern felt by persons in Great Britain who have regularly contributed towards insurance funds, rates and taxes who find that the only benefit they receive is retirement pension, and of the fact that others are able to draw twice as much in benefits without making any contribution, whether he will take action to remedy this situation.
§ Mr. OrmeAnyone in Great Britain, including any pensioner, who satisfies the relevant conditions may receive supplementary benefit, which is assessed according to the needs and resources of the individual claimant and his dependants. I have no proposals for changing this basic principle of the supplementary benefits scheme.