§ Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that John Houghton, aged 72, an old age pensioner, residing at Haydock, Lancashire, entered the Warrington union hospital through sickness on 7th October and was discharged on 10th November; that the pension due to him on 7th October was not paid; and that, on filling up the form for renewal of pension, it was refused and he was informed that it would not be paid till the end of November, and then only after consideration by the local committee; and, seeing that this man was not in hospital three months and therefore not entitled to have his pension cancelled, will he say by whose authority it was done, and take steps to prevent similar occurrences happening again?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am informed that John Houghton's maintenance in the Warrington union hospital was certified by the Poor Law authorities as due primarily to insufficient means, and not to sickness In these circumstances his case was brought to the notice of the local pension sub-committee, who revoked his pension as from 14th October, inclusive. On Tuesday the 9th November a fresh claim was received from him; and at their next meeting on the 30th November the sub-committee granted a 2471W fresh pension to date from the 12th November, namely, the first Friday after the receipt of the claim On the 3rd instant a pension order book was delivered, to date from the 12th November. As regards the pension money for the 7th October, I am informed that the pensioner did cash his order due on that date.