§ Captain BOWYERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to a case last week before the Newport Pagnell magistrates, where an old-age pensioner was summoned for fraud because he had not disclosed the fact that he was a member of the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society and entitled to sick benefit; is he aware that the bench unanimously dismissed the charge of fraud, but that the pensioner will have to pay for his lawyer and refund about £19 which he has received in sick pay since becoming an old-age pensioner; and will he so amend the Old-Age Pensions Acts as to prevent this penalty upon years of thrift, and arrange that the amount of sick benefit or annuity received from a friendly society, trade union, or thrift institution, be not taken into account when estimating the means of a candidate for an old-age pension?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERI am informed that the result of the proceedings before the magistrates was as stated: that, according to the decision of the local old-age pension committee, the pensioner has received £19 old-age pension money to which he was not entitled; but that in the circumstances he will not be required to repay this amount. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made on 21st February last on the Motion of the hon. Member for the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow (Mr. Maxton).