§ 83. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Health if he will issue a statement showing the amount of relief paid out by the various boards of guardians to single persons living at home; single persons who are living away from home; married couples without dependants; and married couples with dependants, either in money or in kind?
§ Sir K. WOODThe majority of boards of guardians do not work to a definite scale, and even where a scale has been adopted it is commonly used as a general guide and not applied automatically. Complete information as to the scales adopted 37 even as working rules is not available, but my right hon. Friend has particulars of the scales in existence in a. number of unions, and he will be glad to make available such information as he has for a number of representative districts.
§ Mr. J. JONESIf the Department have not got full information of the various scales, why do they select an arbitrary scale for a different district?
§ Major CRAWFURDMay I ask—
§ Mr. SPEAKERMay I remind the hon. Member that no answer can be made while he is standing.
§ Sir K. WOODThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension.
§ Mr. JONESIn the case of West Ham, we have been told that we are paying more than we ought to pay. [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"] The hon. Member has said that the Department have no scale themselves. [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"] It is not a speech, it is a fact. In view of the hon. Member's own admission that the Department have no scale of their own, why do they single out a particular district, and say that they shall not pay a particular scale?
§ Sir K. WOODThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The West Ham Guardians are asking that money should be lent to them, and conditions have been laid down to insure that the money shall be properly spent.
§ Major CRAWFURDArising out of the original answer, does that mean that the information will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT?
§ Mr. MACKINDERIs it a fact that one of the conditions laid down is that the maximum for a married man with a family shall be not more than 45s., while some guardians may give 70s. [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has already taken up a good deal of time.
§ An HON. MEMBER: Look after the Chinese.
§ Mr. MACKINDERIn view of that nasty reference with regard to a previous question, which was asked to elicit information, may I ask, Mr. Speaker, for your protection? I will land the hon. Member one, if he says that to me again. He had better come outside.