§ MR. HICKS-BEACH (Gloucestershire, Tewkesbury)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the circular issued by the Local Government Board to local authorities dated 4th August, 1908, with reference to the formation of local pension committees, in which no reference is made as to the advisability of securing the assistance of guardians in their private capacity on such committees, notwithstanding that he stated to a deputation of the Poor Law Union Association on 26th June last that it would be difficult for pension committees to do the best by either the Treasury or the deserving poor without obtaining the assistance of prominent and well-known guardians in their districts; and whether he will consult with the President of the Local Government Board as to the advisability of issuing a supplementary circular to local authorities suggesting the desirability of prominent guardians being added to the pension committees.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) I have not altered my opinion that the 1762 assistance of guardians would be of great value to pension committees; but I do not think it would be proper for a Government Department to offer advice to the appointing councils as to the personal qualifications which should be sought for in selecting members of pension committees. I am not prepared, therefore, to suggest to my right hon. friend the issue of a circular in the terms proposed.