46. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Report of Sir Harry Goschen's Committee, he will ask the Committee to sit again and consider whether, having regard to the evidence laid before them, they can devise a formula which will provide for an equitable scheme of grants in aid to local authorities in necessitous areas?
§ Mr. F. C. THOMSON (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to answer this question. As the hon. Member has already been informed, the Government, after full consideration of the matter, are not prepared to agree in principle that any specific assistance should be given to local authorities towards the cost of Poor Law relief, and in the circumstances it is not proposed to ask Sir Harry Goschen's Committee to sit again.
Mr. T. THOMSONMay I ask whether the Government are not prepared to do anything in any shape or form for these distressed areas?