§ Mr. Robert Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will reconsider the present rule which substantially reduces the pension of a hospital patient for the week of discharge which causes financial hardship if the discharge takes place at the commencement of the week and the pensioner returns to Part III local authority accommodation.
§ Mr. OrmeI am not aware of any financial hardship when pensioners are re-admitted to Part III accommodation after a spell in hospital. The pensioner must always be left with at least the weekly personal allowance, which is the rate of benefit he would normally be receiving in hospital if he had been 999W admitted from Part III accommodation. If the hon. Member has a particular case or point in mind, I shall be pleased to consider it.