§ Mr. VERNEYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a private patient in a lunatic asylum maintained there entirely by his relations without any charge upon public funds forfeits thereby his old age pension for which he is duly qualified; and, if so, whether the Government will bring in fresh legislation to remove this disqualification?
§ Mr. BURNSPerhaps I may be allowed to answer this question. The reply to the first part of it is in the affirmative. Section 3 (1) (c) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, provides that a person shall be disqualified for receiving or continuing to receive an old age pension under the Act while he is detained in any asylum within the meaning of the Lunacy Act, 1890. I will bring the suggestion for legislation made in the latter part of the question under the notice of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The matter is one for him.