§ 43. Mr. BOYTONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Department, in estimating the value of the benefit derived by the inmate of a home applying for a pension under the Old Age Pensions Act, takes into consideration for the purpose of disqualification the increased value attaching to such benefit by reason of the increased cost of food; and whether, for example, a person resident in a home the value of the benefit from which had been increased from 12s. 6d. a week to 15s. a week on account of the increased cost of food, and who would have been eligible for a 5s. pension as part of 1193 the sum of 12s. 6d. becomes ineligible for such pension by reason of the increase to 15s.?
§ Mr. LONGI do not find that a decision has been given in any case involving the point raised by my hon. Friend. An appeal, however, in circumstances similar to those mentioned in the question is now before me, and is being investigated. I will give the matter my most careful consideration.