§ Mr. JAMES PARKERasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Edwin Roberts, aged 75 years, of Newton Heath, Manchester, whose claim for an old age pension has been disallowed on the ground that he had received Poor Law relief in February 1908; whether he is aware that the applicant, learning that a son who had been partly maintaining him intended to go to Canada, went, on the instruction of his friends, to the relieving officer for advice as to what he should do; that the officer took down particulars of the case, told Roberts to call again, and gave him 2s.; and that, when Roberts went again, the officer told him that he would be unable to do anything until the son had landed in Canada, and gave him another 2s.; and whether, in view of the fact that this is the only relief that Roberts has had, and that he simply went to the relieving officer for advice, he will have the application reconsidered?
§ Mr. BURNSI am aware of this case. As the claimant, in fact, received poor relief since 1st January, 1908, he was disqualified under the Act, and, in the circumstances, I have no power to award him an old age pension.