§ 16. Mr. Oliverasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in cases where the wives of men serving in the Forces have obtained employment to help to make up the loss of income, some public assistance committees have ceased to pay relief in respect of dependent relatives, with the result that little or no benefit accrues to the household, thereby destroying the incentive to undertake employment; and will he consider making, for the period of the war, a Regulation to prevent such earnings from being assessed for the purposes of maintenance?
§ Mr. E. BrownMy attention has not been drawn to any cases of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers. The function of a public assistance committee is to relieve need and it is their duty to discontinue the payment of relief when the need ceases by reason of employment or otherwise. I have no power to make such a Regulation as is suggested in the last part of the Question.
§ Mr. OliverIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to consider this matter, and, if so, may I give him evidence on which to work?
§ Mr. OliverThank you, Sir.