HC Deb 24 October 1935 vol 305 c307
29. Miss WARD

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the establishment of properly controlled emergency committees empowered to deal with urgent cases requiring assistance which cannot be dealt with through any of the usual channels?

Sir K. WOOD

Public assistance authorities, through their appropriate committee or sub-committee, have the power and duty of dealing with cases of need and, in addition, relieving officers have the power and duty of relieving cases of sudden or urgent necessity which cannot immediately be dealt with by a committee. If my hon. Friend has any particular case of difficulty in mind, I shall be happy to make inquiries.

Miss WARD

Is the Minister aware that owing to the regulations of some assistance committees there are urgent cases of necessity, particularly in relation to maternity, where it is impossible to invoke the services of the committee, and where grave danger to the patient arises; and may I give him particulars of such cases?

Sir K. WOOD

Certainly.

Mr. LOGAN

Do I understand the Minister to imply that in the case of any person not getting sufficient, under the Unemployment Board, application can be made to the public assistance authority?

Sir K. WOOD

I should like to study that question.