§ Mr. KINGasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether be is aware that John Richard Primrose, aged eighty-four, was in or about November, 1917, deprived of his old age pension because, owing to the increased cost of living, his relatives had been collectively giving him a small weekly sum, and as a consequence was in great distress for fifteen weeks, when his pension was restored to him; whether he has inquired into the action of the pensions officer in this case; whether, seeing that existing old age pensions are not revoked in consequence of pensioners being now able to get increased wages, he will give instructions that old age pensions will also be allowed to continue where, as in this case, relatives give an extra allowance to helpless pensioners; and whether the pension for the fifteen weeks lost can be granted to Mr Primrose?
§ Mr. BALDWINPrimrose's old age pension was revoked by the local pension committee in December last on the ground that his means, which included, in addition to club benefits, over £20 a year from his relatives, exceeded the statutory maximum for a pension. The committee's decision was confirmed by the Local Government Board, to whom Primrose appealed. On the revocation of the pension the relatives' support appears to have ceased, and a fresh pension was consequently granted. The replies to the remaining inquiries in the question are in the negative. The case of small weekly help to assist old age pensioners in meeting the increased cost of living is already met by the administrative concessions in Cd. 8320, and I am not prepared to extend these concessions.