§ Lieut.-Colonel MOORE-BRABAZONasked the Minister of Health whether the action of the Medway Guardians in claiming the whole of Mr. J. G. Hammond's pension towards the cost of his maintenance in the mental ward of the infirmary, thereby depriving Mrs. Hammond of her means of subsistence, is in accordance with the regulations; and whether, in view of the fact that Mrs. Hammond was then offered an equivalent sum in poor relief in order to support her and no real saving to the rates was effected, steps will be taken to enforce the carrying out of the regulations?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe powers upon which the guardians have relied in this case are statutory and do not depend in any way upon regulations issued by my predecessors. I understand that Mr. Hammond is no longer in the infirmary and that the whole of his pension has not in fact been paid to the guardians, and I will consider what further communication can usefully be addressed to them.