§ 44. Mr. STEPHENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there has been any change in policy whereby local authorities are compelled to take their pensions books from sick people who are undergoing hospital treatment or to refuse them public assistance on leaving the hospital for a period, even though the pension during the period of treatment has been spent on providing additional nourishment to the sick person by the dependant to whom the book was allocated?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am not aware of any statutory provision that requires a local authority to collect the pension books of old age pensioners admitted to hospital for treatment, but I understand that some local authorities make arrangements for the safe custody of the books. In regard to the remainder of the hon. Member's question, the decision as to whether relief is necessary in any particular case rests primarily with the local authority subject to the right of any applicant refused relief to appeal to the Sheriff.
§ Mr. STEPHENAm I to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that there 730 has been no change within the last two years?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThere has been no change on the part of the Corporation of Glasgow during the last two years.