§ Mr. B. SMITHasked the Minister of Pensions whether area officers make any inquiries for voluntary funds apart from that administered by the Minister; if so, what is the estimated cost of each inquiry; and whether he has under consideration the issue of instructions forbidding area officers to take any action which might result in an ex-service man, a widow, or dependant receiving assistance from the county or other local funds?
§ Major TRYONArea officers have not been authorised by the Ministry to make inquiries on behalf of local voluntary funds, and I should have no authority to empower them to do so. Subject to this, the answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.