§ 77. Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the West Ham Union Board of Guardians is prevented by a Local Government Order from granting as high a scale of assistance to British-born wives of interned aliens as is allowed by other boards of guardians in London, on the ground that the area of the West Ham union is not considered to be in the Metropolis; if he is aware that the cost of living for the persons concerned is as much in West Ham as in other parts of London; and if he can see his way to remove this disability?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Lewis)The allowances to which the hon. Member refers, although made through the agency of boards of guardians, are charged upon public funds placed at the disposal of the Local Government Board by the Treasury, and not on local rates. The Local Government Board have no authority to make repayments to boards of guardians on the London scale in any district outside London.