§ 30. Mr. HOGGEasked the Pensions Minister how many of the functions of the Ministry have been devolved on other Departments; and whether he has taken the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown on the legality of such derogation?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENNone of the functions of my Department has been devolved on other Departments. The latter part of the question does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it not the case that the Local Government Board have control of tuberculosis cases, and the Ministry of Labour of the employment of discharged men?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENNo; that is not the case. What happens is that we have utilised the machinery of other Departments, and have made arrangements with them as to the men. It would be very unwise for us to set up new machinery when there is machinery in existence, but we have not devolved any of our powers. We have merely made arrangements for other Departments to deal with the men according to our arrangements.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the hon. Gentleman say whether the Ministry of Pensions controls those Departments or are the Ministers of those Departments responsible for the control?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENWe see that the treatment or training, as the case may be, is properly done, and if it is not we take steps to supplement the machinery or set up complete machinery.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the hon. Gentleman say in the two cases mentioned, that of the Local Government Board and the Ministry of Pensions, and the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Pensions, who is responsible to this House for the action that was taken?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENWe are responsible.
§ Colonel Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWhy was there a delay of six months in taking action for the care of tuberculosis patients, and is that the fault of the Local Government Board or of the Insurance Commissioners?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENI am not aware that there was any such delay.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKA statement was made the other day to that effect.