HC Deb 28 May 1936 vol 312 cc2182-3
41. Mr. POTTS

asked the Minister of Health the statutory authority under which the Barnsley magistrates have recently made an order requiring a man to contribute towards the support of his married daughter who happens to be an inmate of a mental institution, and who is also supported by her husband?

Sir K. WOOD

I presume that the magistrates' order was made under the authority of Section 19 (2) of the Poor Law Act, 1930. That Sub-section enables public assistance authorities to obtain, on complaint to a petty sessional court, orders of maintenance upon the relations liable to maintain a poor person, and the father is included, by Section 14 of the Act, among the relations so liable.

Mr. POTTS

Can the Minister state whether the magistrates are in order, or otherwise?

Sir K. WOOD

I should not like to state that.

Mr. POTTS

If the Minister cannot tell us the answer to that question, how are we to know the position of magistrates?

Sir K. WOOD

If the hon. Gentleman will kindly put a question down, I will try to give him an answer.

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