HC Deb 28 April 1938 vol 335 cc299-300
51. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the case of W. H. Daubney, a farm worker of East Heckington, Boston, who has been taken to the county court by the Lindsey County Council for failure to meet payments imposed by the public assistance committee; and is he satisfied that a married man with a sick wife and two children should be called upon to make such payments?

Sir K. Wood

My attention had not previously been drawn to this case. The matter is not one in which I have any jurisdiction.

Mr. Williams

Do the Ministry of Health know of any case or cases where injustice has been inflicted on an agricultural worker with low wages through his being called upon by the public assistance committee to make payments in respect of an aged relative?

Sir K. Wood

I should doubt it, but I will make inquiries.

Mr. Williams

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how it is that his officers report whenever they think that public assistance committees are making grants in excess of what they think ought to be made, but make no reports when injustice is being inflicted on agricultural workers?

Sir K. Wood

I could not accept that as a proper interpretation.

Mr. Williams

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how it is that they only report what they regard as excessive payments?

Sir K. Wood

I could not accept that. The question deals with a particular case. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a question about the general duties of officers, I will do my best to give him an answer.

52. Mr. Williams

asked the Minister of Health the terms of the agreement between the Kesteven (Lincolnshire) Public Assistance Committee and Mr. J. W. Pell; and whether the pensioned mother of Mr. Pell is in receipt of public assistance?

Sir K. Wood

I understand from the local authority that Mr. Pell arranged to contribute 2s. a week direct to his mother. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. Williams

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the wages of this agricultural worker are only about 35s. a week, and that he has a wife and an adopted daughter 11 years of age; and does the right hon. Gentleman consider that, out of this wage of 35s. a week, he ought to be made by the public assistance committee to make a contribution to the support of an aged mother?

Sir K. Wood

The hon. Member knows that this is a matter of arrangement between the gentleman concerned and the public assistance committee.

Mr. Williams

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public assistance committee have refused to give any assistance to that old lady unless her son makes good what the public assistance committee pay?

Sir K. Wood

It may be so; it is their duty, not mine.