§ 87. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health the number of persons receiving 1035 indoor assistance from the West, Ham Board of Guardians 70 years of age and upwards who would, if they were not inpatients of the central home or infirmary, be in receipt of the old age pension; whether the guardians are in any way reimbursed for the cost of maintenance of these persons; and whether, if they are not so reimbursed, he can consider the necessary machinery for readjustment?
§ Sir K. WOOD978 persons were in receipt of institutional relief from the West Ham Board of Guardians on the 1st January last. 105 of these were in receipt on that date of an old age pension, but it is impossible to state how many would have been qualified for such a pension had they not been inmates of an institution of the guardians. As regards the last two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the terms of Section 3 of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1919, but my right hon. Friend cannot undertake to introduce legislation with the object of providing for reimbursement of guardians in the circumstances indicated by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. GROVESI cannot hear the answer of the hon. Gentleman.