58. Major OWENasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that, as a result of the new arrangements for the payment of the Government grant to the North Wales Home Teaching Society for the Blind, the society will receive no Government grant for the period from 1st October, 1929, to 31st March, 1930; and whether, in view of the fact that this will seriously cripple the work of the society, he will give instructions for the customary grant to be made for this period?
§ Mr. GREENWOODIn the year ended 31st March last this society received a full year's Exchequer grant and, by the provisions of the scheme made under Section 102 of the Local Government Act, it will receive a full year's contribution from the local authorities during the present and each succeeding financial year. The continuity of the payments to the society is thus preserved, and I am unable to see how the changes effected by the Act will cripple its work.
Major OWENIs it not a fact that there will be a gap of six months owing to the change over between payment by the Government direct and by the local authorities?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThat is not so. There is no gap. There is continuity of payment. I have tried to explain it on several occasions. It really needs a blackboard and easel to make it perfectly plain. [Interruption.] Hon. Members are unduly touchy about it. I do not know if the hon. and gallant Gentleman is. On previous occasions I have tried to make it clear that the Exchequer grants for the full year were paid up till 31st March last and, from this year onwards, similar grants will be paid to local authorities.