HC Deb 30 May 1933 vol 278 c1710
41. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Minister of Health the terms of the letter sent by his Department to the Durham Public Assistance Committee in respect to their duties as relieving authorities?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

My right hon. Friend thinks it is generally undesirable to make public the terms of a letter addressed to a local authority before the local authority have had an opportunity of considering the letter.

Mr. LAWSON

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that one paragraph in the letter has already been interpreted publicly as meaning that the whole of the disability pension will be taken into consideration? Can he give the proper interpretation of the letter?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

No interpretation of the paragraph is justified. The letter has not yet been published, and should not be published until the Committee have considered it.

Mr. LAWSON

Will the hon. Gentleman say that the interpretation that the whole of the disability pension will be taken into consideration is an illegal interpretation?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

One cannot spend his time replying to reports in the Press.

Mr. BATEY

Was not the letter considered by the Public Assistance Committee last week?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

It was issued on 19th May.

Mr. BATEY

And considered by the Public Assistance Committee last week.

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

No, not according to my information.