§ Mr. Muffasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many old age pensioners are being summoned before the courts for non-payment of rates and that they have had their rates remitted by the local authorities when in receipt of relief from the public assistance committees; and will he consider crediting local authorities with the amounts due for payment of rates and obviate the necessity of pensioners being compelled to appear in the police courts?
§ Mr. E, BrownI am not aware of the grounds for the discrimination in regard to excusal of rates to which my hon. Friend refers, but I am informed by the Assistance Board that the amount of supplementary pension is normally so calculated as to enable the recipient to pay his current rates in full. In any case I have no authority which would enable me to give effect to the suggestion in the last part of the Question.