§ Mr. WESTWOODasked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he is aware that the inspector of poor for the parish of Lasswade, in Midlothian, refused relief to an applicant for same whose income was 7s. 6d. per week disablement benefit from National Health Insurance; that on drawing the attention of the Scottish Board of Health to the matter the applicant was informed in a letter dated 14th July, 1925 (Reference No. P.C. 172,453), that his only remedy was to appeal to the sheriff of the county against the decision of the inspector; and will he consider granting similar rights of appeal to the Scottish Board of Health as are granted to those applicants who consider they have been granted inadequate relief?
§ Captain ELLIOTI am aware of the case referred to. Section 73 of the Poor Law (Scotland) Act, 1845, provides that an applicant who is refused relief under that Act may appeal to the sheriff of the county in which he or she resides, who has power to decide whether or not the applicant is a proper subject for relief. The suggestion contained in the last part of the question would have to be con- 255W sidered as part of the general question of Poor Law reform. My right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland is not at present in a position to make a statement with regard to legislation on this subject.