Captain FABERasked the Chancellor whether it is his intention to bring in a Bill to amend the law by which, as at present, the sick pay of members of friendly societies is included in estimating their claims for old age pensions?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI may refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 22nd ultimo to my hon. Friend the Member for the Tottenham Division.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALD (for Mr. William Thorne)asked the Chancellor if he is aware that some of the Poor Law guardians grant no outdoor relief and other guardians grant outdoor relief ranging from 1s. 6d. to 4s. per week, as in the West Ham Union, and, in consequence of the unequal method of granting relief, the guardians that are most generous to the poor will be penalised under the abolition of the pauper qualification scheme which will come into force next year; and if he can see his way to provide that the whole of the cost of pensions under the abolition of the pauper qualification will be borne by the national Exchequer?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI explained very fully in my Financial Statement why I proposed that local authorities should contribute towards the cost of abolishing the pauper disqualification, and I do not see any grounds for modifying the views which 619 I then put before the House. As regards the first part of the question, I may remind the hon. Member that it is not proposed that the local authorities should contribute anything beyond the amount by which the rates will be relieved through the removal of the disqualification.