POOR RELIEF, FIFE. (Hansard, 12 June 1934)

§ 12. Mr. KIRKWOOD
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the Fife County Council are violating the Act of 1924 by refusing to exempt the first 7s. 6d. a week of health insurance benefit when assessing the incomes of applicants for relief; and will he take action to compel this local authority to conform to the law, or any other authority which is similarly at fault?

§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)
The allegation that Fife County Council were not observing the requirements of Subsection one of Section 105 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, was recently brought to the notice of the Department of Health, who are at present in communication with the county council. With regard to the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to my supplementary answer on this subject given to the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan) on the 8th March, of which I am sending him a copy.

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
Arising out of the first part of the reply, in the event of the Fife County Council not acting according to law, as they are asked to do in a communication from the Scottish Office, what action will the Scottish Office take?

§ Mr. SKELTON
A specific case has arisen with regard to one individual, and where those are the circumstances the proper course is to appeal against inadequate relief, which I understand is the course which has been taken here. With regard to the general subject, perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to read the supplementary answer to which I have referred and put down another question if that does not make the matter clear to him.

§ Mr. PIKE
Can my hon. Friend say what connection the Fife County Council has with Dumbarton Burghs?

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
If I put down a question for next week, will the hon Gentleman then be in a position to give me an answer?

§ Mr. SKELTON
I think if the hon. Member will read my answer, he will see what the position is.

Captain CROOKSHANK
Would the hon. Gentleman not be more likely to give an answer to an hon. Member who sat for Fife?