32. Mr. MALONEasked the Minister of Health the reasons why he does not 1436 favourably consider the definition of a necessitous area as recently submitted to him by certain Poor Law authorities; and will he give consideration to a revised scheme embodying such modifications as he may suggest?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Alfred Mond)It is not possible, in answer to a question in the House, to state in detail the many objections to the scheme referred to, but one fundamental defect is that the measure of relief which would result from the scheme is not adjusted to the needs of the area as measured by its total burden. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a question on Tuesday, 25th July, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the right hon. Gentleman, in consequence of the importance of this question, receive a deputation for the purpose of discussing the matter, seeing if we can arrive at a basis of what is known as a necessitous area?
§ Sir A. MONDI have been considering that for a long time. Another attempt was made only lately to settle the question.