HC Deb 01 August 1912 vol 41 cc2271-2W
Mr. RENDALL

asked the President of the Local Government Board why old age pensioners entering the workhouse infirmary should thereby lose their pensions when such persons on entering any other kind of hospital do not lose them; whether he has allowed pensions to be paid in certain cases to old age pensioners in infirmaries; and whether it is in his power always to do so?

Mr. BURNS

Old age pensioners entering a workhouse infirmary in order to obtain medical or surgical assistance are ordinarily not disqualified for receiving a pension, and pensions have been allowed to continue in many such cases. Cases sometimes arise, however, in which ordinary Poor Law relief must be regarded as preponderating over any medical assistance which may be afforded. In such cases, and in other cases in which the statutory conditions are not satisfied, the Board are precluded from allowing the pensions to continue.