Mr. HAMILTON BENNasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the case of a man and wife now aged seventy and sixty-five having previously received an allowance of 5s. a week and food from the guardians, the recent attainment of the age of seventy by the man and his consequent eligibility for an old age pension of 5s. a week debars both himself and his wife from the food allowance which they have hitherto enjoyed in addition to the 5s. a week?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am not aware that a man's eligibility for an old age pension debars either him or his wife from receiving a food allowance from the guardians. The man would, however, be disqualified for receipt of an old age pension during the continuance of such a food allowance to himself or his wife, unless it fell within the description of "medical and surgical assistance (including food and comforts) supplied by or on the recommendation of a medical officer."