§ 54. Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the position of the Lancashire County Council public assistance committee who during the last 12 months have paid out £190,000 domiciliary relief to augment the payments of 10s. a week to old age pensioners; and will he make a statement as to whether his Department intends to have the position of these payments to old age pensioners examined so that the cost will be equally distributed?
§ Mr. BernaysI have seen a report in the Press to the effect of the statement in the first part of the question. I am not sure that I fully appreciate what the hon. Member has in mind as regards the second part. He will, of course, be 1750 aware that the question of equalising the cost of public assistance over the whole country was fully debated in this House on 1st February.
§ Mr. TinkerThe point I have in mind is that this is a matter which the Government should deal with. I am asking for a statement from the Government that they realise the point?
§ Mr. BernaysWe fully realise the point, and I made a full statement on the matter on 1st February.