§ 14. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister of Pensions whether an alteration in the conditions of the issue of widows' pensions has been made by which maintenance during treatment in a. Poor Law infirmary or an asylum is charged against the pension; whether he is aware that practically the whole of the pension is thus absorbed, leaving the widow penniless on discharge from the institution: and whether, seeing that the Regulations in force up to December last permitted the local committees to meet charges incidental to the care of the children and the upkeep of the home, he will state how these charges are to be met under the new Regulations?
§ Major TRYONUnder the new arrangements a widow's pension may be applied towards the cost of her maintenance in a Poor Law infirmary, to the relief of local rates. Provision is, however, made in all cases for the care of the children during the whole period of the widow's maintenance in the infirmary and for the upkeep of the home for at least 13 weeks after admission, before any part of the pension is paid to the Poor Law authorities.