§ Sir R. NEWMANasked the Minister of Health when the Committee which is now considering the position of old age pensioners under the existing law, is likely to report; whether, in consideration of the continued high cost of living, he will reconsider his decision to await the Report of the Committee before taking any action to relax any of the present restrictions, which often inflict much unnecessary Buffering on the aged poor; whether, as a temporary measure to meet some pressing cases, steps could now be taken to permit guardians of the poor to grant out-relief to old age pensioners without disqualifying the recipient from continuing to receive the old age pension; and whether the yearly means which entitles a person to receive an old age pension could be raised from £31 10s., an amount fixed in pre-war times, to a sum in keeping with the pre sent purchasing power of money?
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§ Mr. BALDWINI understand that the Committee hope to Report early in the autumn. The answer to the remaining parts of the question is in the negative.
§ Sir R. NEWMANasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that guardians of the poor were authorised to make, and in a great number of cases did make, an extra grant to persons receiving out relief, and were authorised to make and did make modifications in diet and in other ways incurred additional expenses in connection with persons in workhouses, in order that these people might be able to participate in the rejoicing over the Peace, a grant of, say, 5s. might be given, to old age pensioners, thus showing these old people that the State were not unmindful of them in the hour of great national rejoicing?
§ Mr. BALDWINI fear the answer must be in the negative.