HC Deb 17 November 1908 vol 196 cc1046-7
MR. SUMMERBELL

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is yet in a position to say whether an old-age pension may be given to a woman who is fully qualified to receive a pension but whose husband is in receipt of outdoor Poor Law relief.

MR. JOHN BURNS

The reply is in the negative. I am expecting to receive the opinion of the Law Officers on the point very shortly.

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

asked a further Question.

MR. JOHN BURNS

I shall be obliged to hon. Members if they will postpone Questions on this subject until I am in possession of the definite views of the Law Officers.

MR. ROGERS (Wiltshire, Devizes)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have already decided that relief given to a husband for the sole use and benefit of his wife disqualifies him and not his wife; and whether, in view of the fact that the proceedings of a number of pension committees are being delayed owing to the need of an authoritative interpretation of the law, he will do his best to expedite an official pronouncement on the subject?

MR. JOHN BURNS

Certainly. The question is practical and, I think, urgent. I will do my best as early as possible.