§ Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKEasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Lowe, of 30, Garrison Street, Birmingham, who, on receiving the old age pension at 65 and a refund of £12 from unemployment insurance, was advised by the local committee of the guardians to bring the money to them; that they would save it for her and see her right; that Mrs. Lowe took £11 and left it with the committee, receiving a receipt signed by the relieving officer, stating it was repayment of amount advanced as ordinary relief; if the guardians in so doing are acting within the Regulations; and, if so, will be consider revising them?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am informed that Mrs. Lowe had not been in receipt of unemployment insurance benefit for some years, and that no question of a refund from that source arises. The lump sum of £13 paid to her was in respect of arrears of old age pension to which she became entitled on the discovery, on the investigation of a claim made this year, that she became 65 in September, 1927, and not, as had been supposed, in September, 1928. During the period covered by the arrears she was in receipt of 11s. per week from the guardians in addition to health insurance benefit. In these circumstances the guardians decided to claim in respect of the past relief a sum of 211 out of the arrears of pension awarded, but to allow Mrs. Lowe to retain the balance. I may add that Mrs. Lowe is now in receipt of 4s. per week from the guardians in addition to her pension.