§ 1. Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Labour if he will state the result up to date of his attempts to co-ordinate rates of transitional payments throughout the country; and, in this connection, if he is aware that the scale of transitional payments being administered by the Bilston Public Assistance Committee, which covers the areas of Short Heath, Wednesfield, and Willenhall, is lower than the published scale of the adjoining county borough of Wolverhampton; and if he will take any steps to raise the former rates?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)Subject to the various statutory directions, the scales and rules adopted by local authorities for guidance are within the control of the authorities themselves, and my right hon. Friend cannot issue directions to them on the matter. My information is, however, that authorities are recognising in increasing measure the importance of eliminating unjustifiable discrepancies in the treatment of comparable classes of cases.
§ Mr. MANDERAm I to understand that the Bilston Committee will be quite in order in exercising their discretion to raise their standard?
§ Mr. HUDSONIt is not my duty to pass any comment upon that.
§ Mr. MANDERIs it not a fact that they can exercise their discretion in that direction if they think fit?
§ Mr. HUDSONThat would be a matter for the Minister of Health.