§ 61. Mr. Tinkerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the cost of supplementing old age pensions by poor law authorities falls more heavily on some than on others; and will he consider taking steps to take the burden of this extra payment from the poor law authorities by payments to them by the Treasury?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Lieut.-Colonel Colville)The supplementation of old age pensions is only one of many items which make up a total of public assistance expenditure, which varies considerably between authorities. The hon. Member will be aware that considerable weight is given to variations of local needs and resources in the distribution of the large block grants paid by the Exchequer. The Government are not prepared to adopt the proposal in the question.
§ Mr. TinkerIf the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is unable to do what I am asking him in this question to do, will he ask his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider meeting the general case of the old age pensioners through the Budget?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleI have answered that question previously.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister not prepared to make a statement of some kind on this subject, in view of the fact that a deputation is on its way to London in connection with this matter?