§ Lord BALCARRES (on behalf of Mr. Joynson-Hicks)asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of Catherine Duncan, of Manchester, a widow over 70 years of age, who has been refused a pension because when she appeared before the guardians of Chorlton on another matter they, seeing her absolute distress for want of food, ordered her then and there 1s. worth of food as an act of charity; and, seeing that the poor woman did not apply for the food herself, but that it was in effect forced upon her, what are the grounds upon which the Local Government Board has refused her appeal?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)According to the information supplied to me the woman applied to the guardians with a view to her sons being made to contribute towards her maintenance. Pending inquiries, the woman being without food, she was given a ticket for food to the value of 1s. 6d. Cases of this kind where the amount of relief received is but small are no doubt hard, but I have no authority to waive the disqualification which the receipt of relief imposes, and hence I have had no alternative but to disallow the claim for a pension.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWhen is it the intention of the Government to introduce the promised Bill amending the Old Age Pensions Act?
§ Mr. BURNSThe Chancellor of the Exchequer has expressed his intention to do so, but when I cannot say.