§ 64. Mr. T. Williamsasked the Minister of Health how many county councils have been warned by his Department since 1931 about their alleged excessive expenditure on public assistance; and in how many cases the scales were reduced following upon such representations?
§ Sir K. WoodSince 1931 criticisms of items of expenditure upon public assistance have appeared in the reports of district auditors to 16 county councils, and, where necessary, have been the subject of subsequent correspondence by my Department. None of these cases called for the reduction of scales of relief.
§ Mr. WilliamsIf the right hon. Gentleman communicates with public assistance authorities who are spending more than he thinks they ought to, why does he not communicate with public assistance authorities who are spending less than he thinks they ought to?
§ Sir K. WoodI can only rely on the reports which we receive from the auditors.
§ Mr. WilliamsAre we to understand that the auditors who have sent in reports only report on alleged excess expenditure, and never on mean and niggardly allowances?
§ Sir K. WoodWe have discussed this matter before.