§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked whether the Government regard with disfavour the operation of the Old Age Pensions Act in placing a discount upon the receipt of a pension in cases where a husband is, but the wife is not, qualified by age to receive a pension, but where both have been in receipt of poor relief aggregating more than the amount of a single pension; and whether, bearing in mind the difference in the two modes of relief as affecting the self-respect of the aged poor, the Government will consider the advisability of so amending the existing Act so as to remove this disability without any additional charge upon public funds?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme on 8th February. The introduction of a measure, as I have already stated, must depend on the time at the disposal of the Government.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTThe answer to the first part of my question is not covered by the reply referred to?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThat asks for an expression of opinion, which I am not allowed to give.