§ Sir S. CRIPPSasked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware that the Bristol public assistance committee have made a practice of taking into account benefits under the National Health Insurance and not disregarding the first 7s. 6d., as required by Section 48 of the Poor Law Act, 1930, in assessing the needs of able-bodied applicants for out-door relief; and whether he will take immediate steps to see that this practice is discontinued;
(2) whether he is aware that the Bristol public assistance committee, in the assessment of means of applicants for transitional benefit, are taking into account benefits under the National Health Insurance and not disregarding the first 7s. 6d., as required by the Poor Law Act, 1930; and whether he will take immediate steps to see that this practice is discontinued?
Sir H. YOUNGI am informed on inquiry that the Bristol public assistance committee have no such practice. 1283W In one case they took into consideration 7s. 6d. National Health Insurance benefit payable to the wife of the applicant in assessing the amount of transitional payment for the applicant. I am advised that this procedure is correct, since the special provisions of Section 48 of the Poor Law Act, 1930, only apply to National Health Insurance benefits to which the applicant himself is entitled.