§ Mr. KEATINGasked the Chief Secretary whether he will recommend the Local Government Board for Ireland to suggest to the Poor Law guardians of the various unions in Ireland a scheme by which the guardians could receive old age pensioners and treat them in a separate portion of the workhouse buildings as if in a home, the pensioners to pay the full cost of their support, less the cost of rent, and to be at liberty to enter and leave the home at will, a large number of the Poor Law unions at present being anxious to have such a scheme introduced?
§ Mr. BIRRELLHowever much the Local Government Board might sympathise with the object which the hon. Member has in view, it would be impossible for them to suggest to local authorities how such a scheme as that indicated in the question could be formulated, having regard to the fact that under the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, the receipt of Poor Law relief, other than that specially excepted in the provisos to Section 3 (1) (a) of the Act, ipso facto disqualifies a pensioner from receiving his pension.