§ 71. Mr. GEOFFREY PETOasked the Minister of Health whether he will issue to Members the outline of his proposals on the subject of Poor Law reform, which have already been issued to the County Councils' Association?
§ 79. Sir J. MARRIOTTasked the Minister of Health whether, as his provisional suggestions or proposals for the reform of the Poor Law have been confidentially communicated to the Association of Municipal Corporations and one or more similar bodies, he will say whether they have also been communicated to the Association of Poor Law Unions; and, if not, if he will state the ground for discrimination?
§ 87. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the Minister of Health why, when issuing a statement as to his proposed reform of the Poor Law to certain associations, no copy was sent to the Association of Poor Law Unions; and will he issue copies of the statement to Members of Parliament?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe proposals referred to were preliminary proposals devised as a basis for discussion with the representatives of the local authorities to whom it would be necessary to entrust the powers and duties of boards of guardians on abolition, and I thought that it would probably save time and trouble if I considered the proposals further in the light of such discussion before forwarding them to the association. I am now advised that some time must elapse before the discussion can take place, and accordingly I propose to send the provisional proposals as they stand to the association and to certain other bodies interested. In this way the proposals will no doubt become public, and it seems scarcely necessary to issue them specially to Members of Parliament.
§ Mr. ATTLEEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the text of these proposals is now being circulated to Members, whether accurately or not Members are unable to tell, by the Association of Poor Law Unions, and ought we not to have some official knowledge of these proposals in order to check what is being sent out?
§ Captain BOWYERWill the Urban District Councils Association also in due time be consulted?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINYea, the answer to the second supplementary question is in the affirmative; and, in regard to the first, the answer I have already given will make it clear that the proposals which I have circulated will be made public, and, therefore, no question as to whether they are accurate or not can possibly arise.
§ Sir J. MARRIOTTWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question No. 79? I do not think he has done so.
Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes, I have done so, and if my hon. Friend will read the reply I have given, he will see that the answer is contained there.