§ 52. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to make a statement with reference to the case of John Shone, Alma Street, Willenhall, Staffordshire, who, before obtaining a grant of 10s. per week from the Prince of Wales British Legion Pension Fund, received an assurance from the Stafford shire County Council Bilston Guardians Committee on 7th July, 1933, that any such pension would be disregarded and no reduction of relief made in consequence thereof in view of the fact that a reduction has in fact been made?
§ Mr. ElliotI understand that a letter was sent to the hon. Member by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on 2nd May explaining the matter more fully than is possible within the limits of a Parliamentary question and answer. The public assistance authority are bound to have regard to income and means from every source save only for certain exceptions authorised by Statute. A grant from the Prince of Wales Pension Fund of the British Legion is not one of these exceptions.
§ Mr. ManderIs the Minister aware of the very strong local feeling at the action of the local guardians committee in misleading this man as to his position; and will he consider introducing legislation to make it possible in future for guardians committees to disregard the Prince of Wales British Legion Pension Fund?
§ Mr. ElliotI am afraid that I cannot see my way to introduce amending legislation to make it possible to ignore all incomes of this kind which could not be confined to one source.