HC Deb 06 February 1939 vol 343 cc637-8
73. Mr. Poole

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider issuing instructions to public assistance authorities authorising them to exclude from the income of an applicant's household when assessing relief any amounts which may be granted by private charities for the express purpose of enabling an applicant's children to receive advanced or secondary education?

Mr. Bernays

My right hon. Friend has no power to issue instructions authorising public assistance authorities to ignore such grants.

Mr. Poole

Is it not the case that private charity exists solely to enable an applicant's children to have continuous education, and that they can only make such grants to people as are in receipt of public assistance? Therefore, what is happening now is that private charities can never be used to subsidise public assistance, and that the applicant is no better off. Will the Minister consider issuing amending instructions so that people can benefit from private charity?

Mr. Bernays

My right hon. Friend has no power to issue such instructions; he is precluded by Section I of the Poor Law Act from interfering in the scales of relief.

Mr. Poole

Will the hon. Member seek the necessary powers?

Mr. Bernays

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Order Paper.