HC Deb 18 June 1942 vol 380 cc1665-6
29. Mr. Collindridge

asked the Minister of Health why he has refused to allow the Barnsley Corporation to make a grant of £500 to the Barnsley Main Colliery Explosion Fund for the purpose of relieving the distress of the dependants of those who lost their lives; and will he reconsider this decision?

Mr. E. Brown

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which I gave to him on 21st May in regard to a similar application for sanction from another local authority.

Mr. Collindridge

Is the Minister aware that the widows and children of fatally injured men were the only people passed-over in the Act of 1940, and does not this fact make the ban which the right hon. Gentleman has imposed upon this contribution a very harsh one?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. Member looks at the other Answer, he will see that this is not a particular decision but a decision which carries out what has been settled Government policy over a number of s years. Similar decisions have been given in regard to other appeals, such as the Red Cross and various Lord Mayors' Funds. I can assure the hon. Member that there is no lack of sympathy with the cause.

Mr. Collindridge

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in my constituency in 1937 a similar contribution was allowed to another explosion fund?

Mr. Brown

I am not aware of that. Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me the information.

Mr. Collindridge

Much as I regret it, because of the unsatisfactory nature of the Reply I shall have to raise this matter on the Adjournment.