HC Deb 04 November 1937 vol 328 c1123
77. Mr. Short

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to follow the example of the Unemployment Assistance Board and issue a circular calling the attention of the officers of public assistance committees to the rise in the cost of living and the need for increasing the allowances of applicants?

Sir K. Wood

The law relating to the relief of the poor is administered locally by councils of counties and county boroughs. I believe that public assistance authorities are fully aware of their duty to give relief sufficient to meet the necessities of applicants, but I will take the opportunity of including a reference to this matter among others in a circular which I shall have occasion to issue to local authorities in the near future.