Colonel NEWMANasked the Minister of Health the conditions under which boards of guardians are now distributing or awarding relief in cash in their areas; whether pressure has been brought to bear on the guardians by borough councils or other local authorities to make this cash distribution on a scale agreed between the local Labour party and the borough councils; and what precautions are taken to safeguard the interests of the ratepayers?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have sent the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the Regulations governing the grant of relief by boards of guardians. I have no information in regard to pressure of the kind suggested in the second part of the question. The amount of relief given in any case is within the discretion of the boards of guardians, who are the elected representatives of the ratepayers, but their 1281W accounts are, of course, subject to Government audit.