§ Mr. POTTSasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the weekly pension of Mrs. Emma Jane Smallwood, widow, residing at 42, Eldon Street North, Barnsley, Yorkshire, is assessed at 8s. per week; and how such amount of pension was arrived at, having regard to her being a housekeeper, in receipt of lodging and maintenance value 5s. per week, the Government's value in assessing unemployment pay, plus 5s. per week, paid as wages, out of which sum she has to purchase medicines as medically advised for asthma?
§ Sir K. WOODThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, careful consideration was given to the assessment of Mrs. Smallwood's earn- 1607W ings, and there is no legal authority for the making of an allowance in respect of so much of her income as is applied for the purchase of medicines.