§ 25. Mr. Mainwaringasked the Minister of Health whether he is now prepared to consider that keeping lodgers is an occupation carried on for wages and riot, as at present, for profit, and thus remove the penalty that falls upon certain old age pensioners.
§ Mr. WillinkSums paid for board and lodging vary widely and the existing rules, which were arrived at after consideration of all the circumstances, represent in the view of the Assistance Board an equitable treatment of this particular resource. They feel that it would be quite unreal to regard keeping boarders as an occupation carried on for wages.
§ Mr. MainwaringMay I point out that the Minister has misunderstood the Question? Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that this refers to the retention in a house of lodgers who pay from 3s. to 6s. a week? This small sum is regarded as profit whereas, in fact, these same people could earn a limited number of shillings in another capacity and it would be treated as wages.
§ Mr. WillinkThe normal rule, as my hon. Friend and all hon. Members are no doubt aware, is that the amount taken into account, out of payment by a boarder, is half the excess of 18s. a week.
§ Mr. J. J. LawsonShould not old age pensioners, or people taking in boarders in small houses, be rewarded, and not penalised?
§ Mr. WillinkIn the opinion of the Board and myself there is no question of penalisation.
§ Mr. LawsonThey are rendering a great service to the country.