HC Deb 30 November 1933 vol 283 cc1043-4
37. Mr. LOGAN

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a Government auditor has informed the Liverpool Public Assistance Committee, in regard to the practice of granting extra relief in all cases for two weeks at Christmas and the New Year, that apart from the possibility of surcharge for past action any extra Christmas and New Year relief must be subjected to surcharge; and will he issue a circular to all public assistance committees authorising this extra relief and assuring them that no surcharge will, in fact, be made?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

My right hon. Friend understands that the district auditor has informed the Liverpool Public Assistance Authority that he does not regard as lawful the grant of extra relief both at Christmas and the New Year. Article 19 of the Public Assistance Order, 1930, authorises the incurring of reasonable expenditure on special allowances at Christmas time or, where it is the practice to celebrate New Year's Day rather than Christmas Day, at the commencement of the New Year.

Mr. LOGAN

Is the hon. Member aware that this practice has been in operation in Liverpool for many years and that this is the first time a public officer has ever discharged his duties by saying that it was wrong? Is lie not aware also that the Department has power, apart from the Treasury, to issue such an order for this extra relief at Christmas time provided that the local authority are prepared to pay it?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

The district auditor is an independent officer and he must take account of what Liverpool are doing when they are failing to comply with the Orders issued by the right hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Greenwood).

Mr. LOGAN

Is it not a fact that the Minister of Health has power over and above the Treasury to issue such a regulation?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

We have power only to carry out the Orders that. the Minister and his predecessors make and to encourage other people to carry them out.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Surely the Government have power over this individual who is denying Liverpool the right to do what they have done for years at this particular time?

Mr. LOGAN

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

38. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKE

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a relieving officer in Worcestershire has deducted the amount granted from the British Legion benevolent fund from the amount of relief due to an ex-service man; and whether lie will circularise local authorities with a view to discouraging any use of British Legion funds to subsidise the local rates?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

My right hon. Friend has seen a reference in the Press to this matter. It is the duty of a public assistance authority and of the relieving officer, subject to the statutory exceptions, to take into account on the one hand, all means available from whatever source to an applicant for public assistance, and on the other hand, any special needs of the case, and my right hon. Friend could not properly invite local authorities to disregard their duty in the matter.

Mr. HANNON

This is an important question as a matter of principle is involved. Is it the view of the Ministry that a grant made by the British Legion to an ex-service mart is to be taken into account in calculating the amount of benefit he is to receive?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

That is the effect of my answer.

Mr. LAWSON

Is not this the means test?