§ 36. Mr. Martinasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in the case of certain invalids, such as tuberculosis patients, on public assistance and forbidden by medical advice to work, great hardship is sometimes caused by the inadequate nature of relief in districts where the rent level is abnormally high; and whether, therefore, he will take steps to see that public assistance committees pay the rent in such cases, at any rate, when it exceeds a specified amount and where other accommodation is not available?
§ Mr. ElliotI have no evidence of any general hardship arising in this way. It is the normal practice of public assistance authorities in granting relief to have regard to the amount of rent paid by the applicant; but if the hon. Member has 1106 any particular case in mind and will let me have details, I will have inquiry made into it.