HC Deb 13 November 1930 vol 244 c1857
86. Mr. SHEPHERD

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the resolution passed by the Darlington and other pensions committees to the effect that the amount of the old age pension which is withdrawn from a pensioner when an inmate of a Poor Law institution should be transferred and paid over to the Public Assistance Committee towards the cost of maintenance; and whether he will take steps in the direction suggested?

Mr. GREENWOOD

I have received copies of the resolutions to which my hon. Friend refers. With regard to the second part of the question, the provision by which inmates of Poor Law institutions, except when receiving medical or surgical treatment, are disqualified for an old age pension under the Old Age Pensions Acts and the Widows,' Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts resulted from a recommendation by the Departmental Committee on Old Age Pensions of 1919, and the Government are not prepared to incur the very serious additional expenditure out of public funds which the legislation necessary to alter this provision would involve.

Mr. BEAUMONT

Is it not a fact that no additional expense would be involved and that it would mean merely transferring the thing from the rates to the taxes?

Mr. GREENWOOD

No, there would be additional expense involved and no poor person would benefit.

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