§ Mr. FIELDasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether free residence and treatment in a union workhouse hospital will disqualify an old age pensioner; and whether an old age pensioner who has had to be removed to a workhouse hospital can draw his pension while there?
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§ Mr. HOBHOUSEAs regards the first part of the question, I understand that the view taken by the Local Government Board in cases which have been decided upon appeal is that disqualification does not arise when the medical or surgical assistance preponderates, and the maintenance is altogether subsidiary. On the other hand, when the medical or surgical relief appears to be incidental to ordinary relief, the pensioner would be regarded as disqualified. Pension officers, in reporting upon such cases to the pension authority, are guided by these decisions. A pensioner who is not disqualified can draw his pension while in the workhouse hospital.