§ 22. Mr. LUNNasked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been drawn to the regulations of the committee appointed in the West Riding of Yorkshire for administering relief from the Lord Mayor's Fund to families in need in mining districts; if he is aware that no relief is to be given to families where the income has been more than 21s. a week, plus rent, for the last four weeks for a man, wife, and one child; that a form with 27 questions has to he filled in by the applicant before any case can be considered; and that vouchers for 5s. or 2s. 6d. are the full amounts to be given in any case; and will he say whether these regulations are in accordance with instructions from those administering the Lord Mayor's Fund in London?
§ Lord E. PERCYI understand that the income standard prescribed by the West Riding Divisional Committee for the guidance of local committees is as stated in the question. I have no information as to the precise form used for applications. The vouchers are printed in denominations of 2s. 6d. and 5s., but neither figure represents the maximum amount which may be distributed in any particular case. The details of administration within their respective areas are laid clown by the Divisional Committees, subject to the guidance of the Central Joint Committee, where necessary, on general questions of principle, but no income standard for relief has been laid down by the Joint Committee.
§ Mr. LUNNIs the Noble Lord aware that many of these local people who have to visit homes of the needy are protesting against these regulations; and can he tell me how a small tradesman, who has given as much credit as he can, is to supply a pair of boots at 5s. for a boy of 14 years of age?
§ Lord E. PERCYThese vouchers have nothing to do with the supply of boots.
§ Lord E. PERCYNo, nothing at all. These vouchers are concerned with the supply of food. If the hon. Member has any complaints of this kind, I have received none. I wish he would put himself in communication with the local people and talk the matter over with them, because these matters have to he settled locally.
§ Mr. LUNNOn the point that these vouchers have nothing to do with boots. Food cannot be supplied by the Lord Mayor's Fund, which is used largely for the provision of boots, and a voucher for 5s. will not buy a pair of boots for a big boy.
§ Mr. BATEYHas the Noble Lord made any inquiry as to whether these applicants have to answer 27 questions?
§ Lord E. PERCYI have no information as to the printed form, that is a matter for local circumstances, and it would be very undesirable and improper in matters of this kind to attempt to establish central control in London over the proceedings of local committees. As regards the supplementary question, I do not think the hon. Member heard my answer. I said that the vouchers were printed in two denominations, but that that did not mean that any article had to be purchased within that limit. You may have two vouchers, or one and a half vouchers.
§ Mr. BATEYIs it in accordance with the instructions of the executive Committee of the Lord Mayor's Fund that applicants should have to answer 27 questions?
§ Lord E. PERCYIf the hon. Member would listen to my answer he would know that I have said that it is not in accordance with instructions, because the central committee does not issue any instructions.