§ 84. Miss WILKINSONasked the Minister of Health the number of boards of guardians who have refused to make up the amount by which the widows' pensions falls short of their usual rate of poor relief and allowances?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend has no information to suggest that boards of guardians are failing to grant relief in cases in which, notwithstanding the receipt of a widow's pension, destitution is present.
§ Miss WILKINSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the fear of having their grant cut down by 3s. is keeping many women from applying for their pension, and will he consider issuing an instruction on the matter?
§ Sir K. WOODThat is an entirely different matter from the point raised in the question. The question asked whether I know of any cases in which a board of guardians have refused to make up the amount by which the widows' pensions fall short of their usual rate of Poor Law relief and allowances. I have said "No," and on several occasions I have invited hon. Members to send me instances. Up to the present I have not received them. Now the hon. Member asks me about a "fear." Again, I ask the hon. Member for information in this respect.
§ Miss WILKINSONI am sorry I did not make myself clear. What I am asking is this: If it is a fact, as the right hon. Gentleman has stated, that there are no cases where boards of guardians have refused these grants, whether he will make some statement or issue some instruction which will remove the prevalent impression that this is happening and is preventing many women applying for their pensions.
§ Sir K. WOODI cannot agree with the hon. Member that there is any such prevalent impression. If she will give me instances I will have an inquiry made.
§ Mr. CONNOLLYis not the hon. Gentleman aware that I placed the information of a similar case before him and that it is under consideration?
§ Sir K. WOODThe only case the hon. Member has sent to me does not bear any such implication, and I have also invited him to send me any further cases. He has not done so.