§ 43. Mr. LUNN (for Mr. THOMAS WILLIAMS)asked the Minister of Health the grounds of his objection to the regulations which were adopted by the West Riding (Yorks) County Council on 15th March, for the administration of transition payments; why no members of the public assistance committee were invited to be present at the interview in London on 22nd March; and what instructions or recommendations were made to the clerk to the county council on 22nd March?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)The regulations referred to by the hon. Member are regulations relating to the administration of out-door relief which appeared likely to lead to the payment of out-relief and of transi- 667 tional payment in circumstances in which the payment would not be lawful. My right hon. Friend is sending the hon. Member a copy of a letter addressed to the council on 8th March last in this connection. The interview of officials was arranged in the ordinary course. No instructions or recommendations were given to the clerk of the council at that interview. An officer representing my Department and the Ministry of Labour is to interview the public assistance committee of the council in the near future.
§ Mr. LUNNIs it a fact that the hon. Member's Department urged the desirability of a standard of destitution being instituted in the regulations, and that they objected to the public assistance committee taking into account a rent allowance of eight shillings a week for transitional cases?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARENo, Sir. That is not a fair interpretation of what passed. If the hon. Member will read the letter, he will see what the exact facts were.