§ 39. Mr. DAVID GRENFELLasked the Minister of Health under which Act of Parliament parents are legally compelled to contribute to the maintenance of able-bodied adult children who may be unemployed and in need of public assistance, whether living at home or away; and will he give the same information as to the legal obligation on the part of children to contribute to the maintenance of an unemployed able-bodied father and mother and the rest of the family, whether living at home or away?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)Under the Poor Law Act, 1930, the powers of a public assistance authority extend only to the provision of such relief as is necessary, and relief is clearly unnecessary in any case in which the resources of the family or household of which the applicant forms a part are adequate for his maintenance.
§ Mr. GRENFELLCan the hon. Gentleman refer me to any provision which states specifically that parents of able-bodied adults are responsible for their maintenance?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREI think that the hon. Member will find all the information in the Poor Law Act, 1930.
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTIs it not the case that most decent members of the community recognise their obligation in this respect?
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs it not the fact that there is a statutory obligation on parents and children to maintain their children or parents if they are not able-bodied, but that there is no statutory obligation upon them to maintain able-bodied persons
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREI think that the right hon. Gentleman had better put that question down.
§ Mr. LANSBURYThe question is here, on the Paper.
§ Mr. GRENFELLArising from the hon. Gentleman's first reply, may I ask if he will take advice and reconsider this point?