HC Deb 08 May 1923 vol 163 cc2142-3
34. Sir. R. HUTCHISON

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether the Scottish Board of Health lays down a uniform scale of relief for destitute unemployed which should be paid by parish councils; what is the present weekly rate the Board recommends to a householder, wife of a householder, and children under 16 years of age; and whether any deduction is made for any war pension a man may be drawing?

Captain ELLIOT (Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health, Scotland)

The Board have no power to prescribe a scale, the amount of relief to be granted being a matter within the discretion of each parish council. A uniform scale of relief was agreed to at a conference of representatives of industrial parish councils held in September, 1921, and was issued by the Board with a suggestion that it should be generally adopted. This scale allowed 12s. 6d. to a householder, 10s. to his wife, and 3s. 6d. to each child under 16 years of age. In applying the scale it was considered essential that every kind of income whatsoever entering the household should be taken into account. Some parish councils have found it inadvisable to continue to afford relief on the above scale in consequence of the fall in the cost of living and other factors.

Sir R. HUTCHISON

Do I understand that in the case of men who have been badly wounded and have a small pension of 7s. or 8s. a week, that pension is deducted before they receive the grant of which they are so much in need?

Captain ELLIOT

It is considered by the parish councils that all sources of income whatever should be taken into account in this matter.

Sir R. HUTCHISON

Does the Scottish Board of Health approve of that action?

Mr. SPEAKER

It is a local matter.