HC Deb 07 May 1924 vol 173 cc456-7W
Sir H. CAUTLEY

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is no power to prevent an inmate of the Cuckfield Union from receiving arrears of his old age pension, which accrue while he is in the institution, and to apply them in the reduction of the costs of his maintenance by the guardians when such inmate for years has been adopting the regular practice of going into the institution, remaining there for several weeks while his pension is accumulating, then drawing his pension, spending it mainly in drink, and within two or three days returning to the institution destitute, and repeating the process; and whether he will consider the advisability of securing such powers for boards of guardians?

Mr. WHEATLEY

An old age pension ceases to be payable if the pensioner enters a Poor Law institution, except for the purpose of obtaining medical or surgical relief. I will call the attention of the guardians to the propriety of notifying the Pensions Officer in cases such as that to which the hon. Member refers.