§ 32. Miss LAWRENCEasked the Minister of Health whether he is yet prepared to answer the question whether it is with his sanction that boards of guardians refuse relief to boys in the colliery districts who have never been employed in coal mining?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe sanction of the Minister of Health is not required for the exercise of the discretion of boards of guardians in individual cases, as long as they are acting within the limits of the law. I may, however, say that in my opinion the position of boys who have never been engaged in the mining industry would not be affected by the Merthyr Tydvil judgment.
§ Mr. HARRISIf this board of guardians do not do their duty, will the Minister, under the new Bill which is about to become an Act, have the power to take over its work?
§ Miss LAWRENCEIs the Minister aware that I raised this matter on the 15th June on the Motion for the Adjournment, I and the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. Mardy Jones); and in those circumstances does he agree with the statement of the Parliamentary Secretary that the matter had never been brought to his attention?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIf the hon. Member says that is so, I accept her statement. I can only say that the matter had not come to my personal attention until the Debate the other day.
§ Miss LAWRENCEIn view of the fact that many boards of guardians are refusing relief to boys who have never been employed in collieries, will the Minister give instructions to guardians that they are acting in error?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI dare say that will not be necessary after the publicity that has now been given to the opinions I have expressed.
§ Mr. MACKINDERDid not the right hon. Gentleman send a circular letter to some guardians who had decided not to pay stating that they ought to pay, and cannot he do the same in the case of these boys?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODArising from that answer, which was a very nasty answer, I want to ask the Minister if he will give those instructions?