§ 57. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that during the Recess his Department issued instructions to the West Ham Borough Council that the scales of assistance granted by the public assistance committees were to be amended and reduced; whether he will state whether these overtures were made with his consent and approval; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction caused by these reductions, he will issue instructions to his Department to collaborate with the West Ham Council in order that the original scales of assistance be again introduced?
Sir H. YOUNGThe high scale on which relief is afforded was the subject of discussion between the council and myself through my officers, and I understand that as the result of these discussions certain reductions, not of a very substantial kind, were made by the corporation. I do not contemplate action of the kind suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. GROVESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the discussion to which he referred took the form of an ultimatum by his Department giving the West Ham Council six weeks in which to make certain changes, and how can he fit that into the word "discussion"?
Sir H. YOUNGI should say that the hon. Member's information was not accurate. The proceedings were in the nature of a frank and free discussion.
§ Mr. THORNEOh. You put a pistol at our heads.
§ Mr. GROVESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Francis, his principal secretary, was the person responsible for these instructions and the intimation and threatened supersession.
Sir H. YOUNGNo officer of my Department was responsible for anything. The responsibility is entirely my own.
§ Mr. GROVESMay I again ask whether an ultimatum giving six weeks to the council fits in with the word "discussion"?
Sir H. YOUNGI do not accept the description of an ultimatum as applying to the action that was taken by me through my officers.
§ Mr. THORNEAre you prepared to publish the letters that we received and that you received? That will show who is right and who is wrong.