§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Lord Advocate why an old age pension was refused to John Black, of St. Michael-street, Dumfries, and if the reason was that he had received Poor Law relief, was it known to the Scotch Local Government Board when they decided the appeal that Black had entered the poor-house on a medical certificate on account of ill-health, that he remained there only on account of ill-health, and that he left as soon as he was sufficiently well; and will the Local Government Board reconsider the case?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLAND (Mr. Arthur Dewar)The whole facts connected with this case were known to and carefully considered by the Local Government Board. John Black made personal application for relief on 3rd September, 1908. He was examined by the medical officer and certified as suffering from general debility. He was admitted to the ordinary wards of the poor-house, where he remained till 3rd May, 1909—a period of eight months. He left of his own accord. The Local Government Board considered that this was not "medical or surgical assistance" provided for in Sub-section (1) (a) (1) of Section 3 of the Old Age Pension Act, but was ordinary poor relief, which disqualifies for an old age pension, and they decided accordingly.