§ Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Labour why it has been decided to appoint a commissioner to undertake the administration of the means test in Coat-bridge instead of the local town council; who is the commissioner and when he is to take over control; and is he aware that the Coatbridge Town Council, which has a Tory majority, is opposed to the decision on the ground that the administration of transitional benefit can best be exercised by a local authority whose members know the circumstances of individual cases?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI am satisfied that the administration of transitional payments by the Coatbridge Town Council is contrary to the law. I have repeatedly called the attention of the2968W council to this but by formal resolution they declined to conform to the law. In these circumstances, I have no alternative but to exercise my powers to appoint a commissioner. The name of the commissioner and the date upon which he will take over his duties will be announced in due course. In view of the answer to the first part of the question, the last part does not arise.