§ 25. Brigadier-General NATIONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will consider the introduction of legislation whereby persons in the infirm 1116 wards of public assistance institutions shall not be disqualified from the receipt of their old age pension by reason of such residence?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI am afraid I cannot give any undertaking that the Government will introduce legislation on this subject.
§ Brigadier-General NATIONDoes not my hon. Friend think that this is a rather mean policy for the Government to adopt towards a small section of the community which is suffering from the greatest of human afflictions?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHANo; I think I could explain to my hon. and gallant Friend that that is not the case, but to do so would involve a rather long recital of the law and the present practice.
§ Mr. PIKEDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that many of these persons are living in, one room at rentals exceeding 50 per cent. of their total income, and that, after living in one of these institutions for a month or so, they are totally unable to pay the debts which they have incurred as the result of their rooms being kept for them while they are in an institution?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe law already provides that a person who enters a Poor Law institution for medical or surgical treatment shall not be subject to disqualification so long as he continues to require such treatment.