§ 59. Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Health whether he is in a position to make a statement about the Assistance Board and the carrying out of the instructions with regard to clothing, etc., to old age pensioners; and can he say the amount expended on this and the average amount to each person?
§ Miss HorsbrughThe Assistance Board inform my right hon. Friend that since my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made his announcement on 16th July last, grants for clothing and bedding have been made in some 337,000 cases, at a total cost, including blankets (which were issued in kind), of some £1,120,000. The average cash grant is about £3 but this includes grants running up to £10 or £15 or more. The House will no doubt be glad to know that the work has been carried out with courtesy and tact and that the pensioners concerned have warmly welcomed the steps taken on their behalf.
§ Mr. TinkerCan the hon. Lady say whether there is any restriction from either the Treasury or the Ministry of Health on the amount to be expended? Has either Department said that if the expenditure goes above a certain amount it must be cut down?
§ Miss HorsbrughI have no knowledge of that at all.