HC Deb 23 March 1959 vol 602 cc893-4
15. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what provision is made for giving assistance to those who are destitute and homeless and who cannot give an address.

The Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)

Anyone who is destitute can get National Assistance whether he can give an address or not. The assistance may not always be in money; if he has no home to go to, it may take the form of a voucher for food and accommodation at a hostel or lodging house or of admission to a reception centre.

Mr. Chetwynd

Is the Minister aware that there are cases in which keepers of lodging houses are not prepared to take vouchers? Will he consider instances of this kind?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind and will send it to me, or to the chairman of the Board, I will gladly look into it.