28. Colonel NEWMANasked the Minister of Labour whether the professional classes sub-committee formed in connection with the National Relief Fund is still in existence; whether the National Relief Fund was subscribed by the public for the definite purpose of relieving cases of hardship in all classes of society, and not only of the working classes; and, if so, why have the committee who administer the fund only allocated an average yearly sum of about £10,000 to the relief of the professional classes who have suffered more than any other class as a result of the War?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Government have no responsibility for the administration of the National Relief Fund, which is entirely in the hands of the executive committee. I understand that the amount appropriated for the relief of distress among the professional classes was determined by the number of cases reported by the various organisations which acted as agents to the Fund in this connection. The committee set no limit to the total amount that might be expended on the relief of this class of distress, and they refused no grant recommended by the professional classes sub-committee. This sub-committee has now been wound up, and further cases requiring assistance are being dealt with through the professional classes war relief council, to which a block grant was made (on the recommendation of the sub-committee) to meet outstanding cases.