§ MR. HOWELLI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state to the House the names of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the question of Old Age Pensions in connection with Poor Law relief; and whether he can state to the House the terms of Reference to that Commission?
§ MR. CLANCYMay I inquire also whether the Commission will extend its inquiry to Ireland, and whether Ireland will be represented on the Commission?
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. H. H. FOWLER,) Wolverhampton, E.The names of the Commissioners have already appeared in the public newspapers. The terms of the Reference are to consider whether any alterations in the system of Poor Law relief are desirable in the case of persons whose destitution is caused by incapacity to work or old age, and whether assistance can be otherwise afforded. The intention of the Commission was that the inquiry should be confined to the case of England and Wales.
§ MR. CLANCYWill the Government re-consider their decision not to include Ireland?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERThe Commission has been completed, and it is already in working order.