§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, in view of the provisions of the Blind Persons Act granting an allowance of 10s. weekly to blind persons over 50 years of age, Scottish Poor Law authorities are now withdrawing the relief they havs hitherto given to necessitous blind persons; and whether, in view of the fact that assistance has been given to old age pensioners and the grants to the blind are under the same regulations, he will give instructions for the continuance of such allowances in order that blind persons in Scotland may receive the financial advantage that was intended by the recent Act?
§ Mr. MUNROI understand that Parish Councils are, in certain cases, reducing the amount of poor relief granted to blind persons who are now in receipt of pensions under the Blind Persons Act. In fixing the amount of poor relief, Parish Councils are bound to take into consideration the fact that a blind person is in receipt of a pension. A similar rule applies in the case of an old age pensioner. I have no power to issue an instruction in the sense suggested by my hon. Friend.