§ 67. Miss WILKINSONasked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to enable local authorities to levy a rate for the provision of footwear for necessitous children?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARENo, Sir. There is no necessity for such legislation. Public assistance authorities already have power to provide adequate relief in all cases of need, and relief may be in money or in kind as may be appropriate to the particular circumstances.
§ Miss WILKINSONDoes not the hon. Gentleman think it would be wiser to give this help quite apart from the Poor Law, in view of the fact that in so very few cases this kind of assistance is given and the health of the children suffers accordingly?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREAmple powers are in existence and are extensively used.
§ Mr. MAXTONHave education committees power to see that boots are issued to these children?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThat is not a matter for me.