§ 46. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation to prevent local authorities from withholding the weekly issue of sweets and tobacco from residents in their old people's homes.
§ Mr. LoughlinNo, Sir. This is a matter for local authorities to decide.
§ Mr. HyndLike all hon. Members, I am jealous of the rights and responsibilities of local authorities. However, could not my hon. Friend issue a circular to 1680 give advice? Does he know that Lancashire County Council is withdrawing the small allowance of tobacco and sweets which is made to these old people? Is not that a rather mean thing to do?
§ Mr. LoughlinI am not sure that I would want to ask my right hon. Friend to issue such a circular. A minimum pocket money allowance is made to old people in the homes which my hon. Friend mentions, but I am not sure that it is dignified, once the basic needs of the old people are met, to dole out sweets and tobacco.