§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a person who would be eligible for an old-age pension by reason of age on 1st January, 1910, would become ineligible if such person during the year 1909 received outdoor relief, no matter how small the amount; and whether, if such is the case, and that, old people must run the risk of starvation under such circumstances, he will propose some alteration of the law to prevent the hardship and suffering that must ensue in such cases.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEThe Answer to the first Question is in the affirmative. The prospect of obtaining an old-age pension will, no doubt, prove an additional incentive to people to submit to privation rather than to apply for poor relief, but as the latter alternative (under which they will, even for the period to 31st December, 1910, be in no worse position than if the Act had not been passed) is still open to them, there is no necessary increase in the risk of starvation. 1252 The whole question of the disqualification on account of poor relief is receiving the careful consideration of the Government, but I am not yet in a position to add anything to the statements made by my right hon. friend the Prime Minister and myself when the Bill was before the House.
§ MR. JOYCEsuggested that Irish boards of guardians should be asked to warn poor people of this result of getting relief.