HC Deb 03 March 1927 vol 203 cc547-8
43. Mr. BECKETT

asked the Minister of Health what was his reply to the Gateshead Board of Guardians as to the propriety of taking into consideration naval and military pensions when fixing Poor Law relief; and whether he has been consulted on this question by any other boards of guardians?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I informed the guardians that it was their duty, in determining what amount of relief should be afforded in any particular case, to take into consideration the whole of the resources of the applicant's household from whatever source derived, with certain statutory exceptions, which did not include pensions to children of fathers killed in the War. Inquiries on the same subject have occasionally been addressed to me by other boards of guardians.

Mr. BECKETT

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that in the case of an orphan child, with neither father nor mother, living in somebody else's home, the few shillings a week given in pension leaves any margin for the rest of the household?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I cannot go beyond the law which I have explained to the board of guardians.

Mr. BECKETT

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that there is any law which obliges 4s. 6d. a week for an infant child to be used for the support of the rest of the family?

Miss LAWRENCE

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what law there is to charge persons other than in the relation of father and child, and what law there is for charging maintenance on brothers and cousins or the general members of the household? Will he explain that?

Mr. SPEAKER

That had better be put on the Order Paper.

Mr. BECKETT

rose

Mr. SPEAKER

This relates to naval and military pensions. The hon. Gentleman's question seems to be a separate question, and I think he might put it down.

Mr. BECKETT

The point is that the child of whom I am speaking was the child of a soldier who had been killed in the War, whose mother was also dead, and was receiving a m litany pension. My question was strictly to do with the military pension.

Mr. SPEAKER

I think we had better have it defined on the Order Paper.

57. Mr. RENNIE SMITH

asked the Minister of Health if he can give the names of the boards of guardians which are paying relief to ex-service men of the late War; and if he can give the numbers of men receiving relief in each case?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Statistics are not available distinguishing ex-service men from other persons in receipt of relief.