HC Deb 01 March 1910 vol 14 cc739-40
Sir JOHN JARDINE

asked the Lord Advocate whether any rule has yet been made to allow or forbid the disclosure of the names of recipients of old age pensions to persons applying for the same?

Mr. DEWAR

I am informed that pension officers are expressly forbidden by the Board of Customs and Excise to disclose information of the nature referred to by my hon. Friend.

Sir J. JARDINE

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the systematic sending of circulars to old age pensioners at the last election?

Mr. DEWAR

I have no such information, but I shall be glad to consider it.

Mr. EUGENE WASON

May I ask whether he does not consider it desirable that other persons who may possess the same information as the pension officers should be forbidden to disclose the names of pensioners?

Mr. DEWAR

I think old age pensioners' private affairs should be treated with the same consideration as those of anybody else.