asked the Minister of Health whether he will instruct Poor Law authorities, when making their returns, to show separately how much relief is given to supplement old-age pensions, the number who receive it, and the average amount given to each?

Returns are made by Poor Law authorities which show the number of old age pensioners in receipt of poor relief on 1st January in each year. A special return would be required to show the expenditure on out-relief to such persons, and I do not think that I should be justified in asking the authorities for such a return.