31. Mr. PRICEasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the public assistance committee of the West Riding County Council has decided that all disability pensions shall be taken into account in assessing the needs of applicants for poor relief; and whether he will issue a circular to public assistance committees on this question?
Sir H. YOUNGI have seen the regulation to which the hon. Member refers and I am sending him a copy of it and a copy of the circular letter issued by me in relation to this question.
Mr. PRICEIs it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to get uniformity by extending the benefit of ex-service pensions to people in receipt of out-door relief, which was the desire of a majority of the House and is in accordance with the Act of Parliament?
Sir H. YOUNGI invite the hon. Member's attention to the expressions in the circular, which I am sending him, dealing with the matter.
§ Mr. LUNNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the regulations issued by the West Riding County Council are causing considerable resentment in the West Riding, and will he see that they are amended by the West Riding County Council in such a way as will be acceptable to the people?
Sir H. YOUNGIn reply to the question, I must point out that the effect of the regulations in question is not accurately stated in the question. The discretionary power in granting outdoor relief and of applying rules contained in the Determination of Need Act, is excluded from the discretion of guardian committees and reserved for 1889 determination by public assistance committees, who consider each case on its merits.
§ Mr. LUNNWhat is there for publicly-elected persons who sit on guardians committees to do if they have no power whatever to give assistance to the people who come before them?
Sir H. YOUNGThe hon. Member is now trying to have it both ways. My reply to the supplementary shows that there is no substance in some of the apprehensions that are felt.