HC Deb 09 July 1942 vol 381 c928
27. Mr. Tinker

asked the Minister of Health the average cost to maintain a person in a Poor Law institution; and what steps can be taken to recover part of the cost from relatives?

Mr. E. Brown

The latest figure, which is for the year ended 31st March, 1938, is £1 8s. 9d. per week. Failing agreement with the liable relatives the authority may apply to a petty sessional court under Section 19 (2) of the Poor Law Act, 1930, for orders of maintenance upon those relatives.

Mr. W. Brown

In view of those figures, how on earth does the right hon. Gentleman expect an old age pensioner to live on 10s. a week—

Mr. E. Brown

The answer is that I do not.

Mr. W. Brown

—and the supplementary pension?