2. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Minister of Pensions whether, notwithstanding the undertaking given in Parliament in 1916 that no temporary grant from a local fund should be taken into account in fixing a need pension, instructions have been issued by the Ministry whereby the aged mother of a deceased man who is receiving temporary help from a local voluntary fund is called upon to surrender part of her pension whilst in receipt of this voluntary gift; and, if so, will he take steps to cancel this order so that the undertaking given in 1916 shall be strictly observed?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONOccasional assistance of a purely temporary character is disregarded in the award of pension to dependants based on their need, but regular income, from whatever source derived, has always been taken into account. If my hon. Friend has any case in mind 650 in which a claim has been dealt with in a different manner from that indicated, I shall be glad if he will communicate with me so that inquiry may be made into it.