§ Mr. GRUNDYasked the President of the Local Government Board how many persons are entitled to, and would be receiving, the old age pension but for the fact that they are inmates of workhouses; how many are males, and how many females; and can he state the cost per week of their maintenance in these institutions?
§ Major ASTORThe number of persons over seventy years of age in England and Wales in receipt of relief in institutions, was, at the end of December, 36,386, 19,597 being men, and 16,789 women. Of the total, 2,523 were in receipt of old age pensions, the relief which they were receiving not being such as to disqualify them. I regret that I have not information as to the cost of maintenance. It has to be remembered that most aged persons who would be entitled to old age pensions, but are in institutions, are so placed because, by reason of exceptional infirmity, they require special care which they could not otherwise receive.