§ 35. Mr. McENTEE (for Mr. GROVES)asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that it is a. growing practice among public assistance committees, when recommending old age pensioners to rate-aided institutions for surgical and medical treatment, to demand their old age pension book, either before their admission or before their discharge; and whether, as all such patients are permitted to receive 13 weeks' institutional treatment, he will issue instructions to prevent the continuance of the practice of demanding pension books?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Ernest Brown)The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, a pensioner, who is admitted to a Poor Law institution for medical or surgical treatment, remains entitled to his pension so long as he continues to require such treatment, and during the period of institutional treatment it is open to the pensioner to appoint any person he pleases to receive the pension on his behalf.