§ 53. Mr. Bruceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning loss of pension after six weeks in hospital.
§ Dr. BoysonThere are provisions under which certain social security benefits are reduced or withdrawn after periods of free inpatient treatment in hospital. These have applied under all Administrations since the national insurance scheme began in 1948. Some adjustments are made immediately on admission, others after four weeks; those for the majority of retirement pensioners are made after eight weeks. If the hon. Member has a particular case or point of difficulty in mind, I would be pleased to consider it. We have not received any specific representations recently about hospital adjustments.