HC Deb 26 June 1928 vol 219 c229
45. Mr. SHEPHERD

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received from the Darlington Board of Guardians a resolution asking that the Old Age Pensions Acts should be so amended as to make provision for the guardians to draw the pension in respect of any old age pensioner maintained in a rate-aided institution for so long as the person may remain chargeable to the said guardians; and what action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. SAMUEL

I am informed that the Minister of Health has received a copy of a resolution of the Darlington Board of Guardians in the sense indicated in the first portion of the question. As regards the second portion of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Anglesey (Sir R. Thomas) on the 25th June, of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. OLIVER

Can the hon. Gentleman's Department justify the putting of local authorities to the expense of maintaining the old age pensioners that are in an institution of this kind?

Mr. SAMUEL

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Anglesey on the 25th June.

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a large amount of feeling on this matter among the municipalities up and down the country?