§ 44. Mr. PRICEasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that single men involved in the coal dispute at Whitehaven have been refused assistance 2449 from the Cumberland Public Assistance Committee; and whether he will make representations to this body with a view to the granting of assistance in such cases?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I have, in a circular to public assistance authorities, given what assistance I could in the interpretation of the Judgment in the case of Attorney-General v. Merthyr Tydvil, but I have no power to require or even to authorise the grant of relief to persons who are, on the facts before the authority, precluded from receiving relief by the terms of that Judgment as being involved in a dispute.
§ Mr. PRICEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very serious distress in the coalfields as a result of this decision, and can ho see his way to do something in the matter?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe decision is not mine; it is a decision of the Law Courts.