HC Deb 27 April 1926 vol 194 c1838
46. Mr. T. THOMSON

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have yet considered the Report of the Departmental Committee on the question of grants-in-aid to necessitous areas; and what action they propose to take?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, after giving careful consideration to the matter the Government have decided that they are unable to accede to the request of certain local authorities for special assistance from the Exchequer towards the cost of Poor Law relief. They are not prepared to agree in principle that any specific assistance should be given and, as the Report of Sir Harry Goschen's Committee shows, no equitable scheme of distribution has been submitted by local authorities.

Mr. THOMSON

Is that the final word of the Government in reply to the plea of the necessitous areas?

Sir K. WOOD

Yes Sir, I have just made the statement.