§ Mr. Dobbieasked the Minister of Health whether it is the practice when assessing parents of evacuated children for payment for same, to take a disability pension into consideration as part of the household income; and whether he will give instructions that in future such pension should be ignored when compiling the figure of income?
§ Mr. ElliotIn making the assessment referred to by the hon. Member, it is not the practice to make an automatic deduction of a disability pension from the parent's income, but the cost of medical extras and any other special expenses arising out of the disability would properly be taken into account by the assessing officer.
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§ Sir A. Knoxasked the Minister of Health whether he has in view any increase in the billeting allowance for children in reception areas, owing to the increase in the cost of living and the expense borne by many small householders in providing warm clothing?
§ Mr. ElliotI am afraid that I cannot accept the suggestion that the billeting allowances are inadequate, I know that many householders throughout the country have been extremely generous in providing children with clothing at their own expense, and I deeply appreciate their kindness, but as I have said in a circular on clothing and hoots, of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy, I am anxious that householders should neither be put to this form of expense nor feel that it is expected of them.