§ 28. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health the numbers of municipal areas which have introduced schemes of financial assistance to the blind persons in their area under the provisions of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, and the number of areas where no such scheme is applied?
Sir H. YOUNGAccording to my latest information, all but 12 of the 146 local authorities under the Blind Persons Act have made arrangements to provide financial assistance for blind persons under the provisions of that Act, In 61 of these areas such assistance is provided exclusively under the Act.
§ 29. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the London County Council scheme for the provision of domiciliary assistance to necessitous blind persons within its area is provided exclusively by virtue of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, and not by way 2081 of relief; and whether he will be prepared to circularise all municipal authorities that such principle and method is the desire of his Department and urge its adoption?
Sir H. YOUNGThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A number of other local authorities have made similar provision, and I have taken, and will continue to take, every opportunity to encourage the remaining authorities under the Blind Persons Act to take the same course, which, indeed, has been recommended to local authorities as being in accordance with the intention of Parliament as expressed in Section 5 of the Local Government Act, 1929.