§ 31. Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Health whether the various public assistance committees will be authorised through his Department to grant extra Christmas relief in. all cases on the out- 1814 door relief list, including the ordinary able-bodied classes and boarded-out children; and, if no directions are given, will the public assistance committees be entitled to use their discretion in granting extra relief for the Christmas period?
§ 35. Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of suggesting to local authorities that they should consider giving an extra grant to recipients of public assistance who are unemployed at Christmas-time?
Sir H. YOUNGPublic assistance authorities are aware of their powers under Article 19 of the Public Assistance Order, 1930, to incur reasonable expenditure on special allowances at Christmastime, and I do not think that they require any suggestion from me.
§ Mr. THORNEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be a jolly good thing, if you want to celebraté the Royal wedding, to authorise the local public assistance committees to give at least two cwt. of coal to all the poor people in the different areas?
Sir H. YOUNGIt is not a question of authority from me. Their powers are well known to the local authorities.
§ Mr. THORNEBut assuming the local authorities agreed to give two cwt. of coal, would the Minister pay for the amount?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman not consider the advisability of recommending at this Christmas-time that one cwt. or two cwt. of coal should be given to the poor people of this country?
Sir H. YOUNGNo. I do not think any interference on my part with the discretion of the local authorities would be either welcome or proper.