§ 24. Mr. GEOFFREY PETOasked the Minister of Health whether it is the practice of all public assistance committees to give assistance to unemployed households when the benefit drawn is not sufficient for the full needs of the household; and whether this is done with the authority of his Department?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Hilton Young)It is the duty of public assistance authorities to consider all applications for relief and to grant assistance in supplementation of existing resources where they find this necessary. This duty is statutory, and its discharge requires no authorisation by me.
§ Mr. PETOIn view of the misunderstandings, and in some cases misrepresentations, of the public and the unemployed, and even among the higher ranks of the clergy, on this very important question, will the right hon. Gentleman do all he can to make that point abundantly clear to everybody concerned?
§ Sir H. YOUNGI think that the state of affairs is very well known to the persons most concerned—the local authorities. As to publicity on the matter, no doubt my hon. Friend's question will promote it.