19. Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENasked the Minister of Labour whether he will circularise public assistance authorities with a view to securing that, when dealing with transitional payment cases, they should not consider any sums received as maternity benefits under the National Health Insurance Acts?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health in reply to a question on 13th November upon the powers and duties of local authorities in this matter in relation to public assistance. This statement applies equally to transitional payments. It is not a matter upon which I have power to issue directions to authorities.