HC Deb 30 April 1923 vol 163 cc988-9W
Mr. C. WHITE

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the case of an applicant for an Old Age pension named Mrs. E. M. H. Cooley, of Tides-well, who has been refused a pension on the grounds that she is maintained by her two daughters; whether he is aware that Mrs. Cooley has been bedridden for two years, and the most expensive part of her maintenance is the nursing, which is paid for by her daughters and assessed as part of her income, and that this woman has lost two sons in the War, has no pension, and absolutely no means; and whether he can reconsider this case?

Lord E. PERCY

Yes, Sir, my right hon. Friend is aware of the facts of this case. The Old Age Pension Acts require that the value of any benefit or privilege enjoyed by an applicant for a pension shall be taken into account in calculating the applicant's means, and it does not appear to be contested that the means enjoyed by Mrs. Cooley exceed the statutory limit of £49 17s. 6d. He is afraid, therefore, that it is clear that. Mrs. Cooley is ineligible for a pension.