HC Deb 15 June 1939 vol 348 cc1496-7
40. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Minister of Health whether he will cause an inquiry to be instituted into the operations of the family means test with a view to ascertaining whether it does not extend the liabilities of the relatives of destitute persons beyond the statutory limits of Section 14 of the Poor Law Act, 1930, in so far as relief is frequently refused to able-bodied persons on the grounds that they were residing with relatives not specified as responsible under this Section?

Mr. Elliot

No, Sir. The Poor Law authority have the duty to determine, in the light of the circumstances in the particular case, whether or not an applicant is in need of relief or whether there are resources available to him to meet his needs.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the undeserved suffering that is endured by many hundreds of people, will not the Minister arrange for the setting up of a Select Committee to inquire into the whole working of the means test at the present time?

Mr. Elliot

I am afraid that that goes beyond the question on the Paper.

41. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that serious delays often occur in the granting of special nourishment allowances by the Unemployment Assistance Board, after the production of a doctor's certificate, owing to the practice of Boards sending applicants to local authorities for milk or other items of diet; and what steps he is taking to see that the cost of extra nourishment for Unemployment Assistance Board applicants and their dependants is borne by the' Unemployment Assistance Board and not by local authorities, and is the same practice followed in recommendations for extra nourishment in connection with maternity needs?

Mr. Elliot

I am not aware of any serious delays as suggested by the hon. Member, but, if he will send me particulars, I shall be glad to look into any cases he may have in mind. With regard to the second part of the question, where extra nourishment is given generally by a local authority under its public health powers as part of treatment, there would not appear to be any justification for excluding the Board's applicants from the scope of the service.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not obvious that many of these applicants are in the position of being sent from one office to another, and that time is lost and very often great difficulties are experienced?

Mr. Elliot

If there are serious delays, I shall be very glad to look into them.