§ 78. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that so far the Essex County Council has not paid the fares of any Dagenham parents in receipt of public assistance who wish to visit evacuated children on the grounds that they have no authority from his Department to do so; that the Unemployment Assistance Board issue a free voucher to any of their people on production of the necessary voucher from the Dagenham Council; and whether this anomalous position will be resolved?
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsburgh)My right hon. Friend has recently amended the Public Assistance Order so as to empower public assistance authorities to pay the fares of persons in receipt of relief on visits to their evacuated children. The attention of the authorities was drawn to this in a circular which he issued on 19th April.