§ Mr. Wilmotasked the Minister of Health, what are the difficulties of extending the provisions of the Determination of Needs Act to the practice of public assistance authorities; what differences at present exist; and if he is aware that an important Scottish authority has recently applied the provisions of the Determination of Needs Act in its administration of public assistance?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe difficulties arise in the main from the fact that the two codes are framed on different principles. The chief characteristics of the Poor Law which distinguish it from the Determination of Needs Act are the duty of the authority granting relief to take into account any benefit which the applicant may receive as a member of a household, and the obligation of certain relatives to relieve and maintain a poor person. I am aware of the decision of the Scottish Authority referred to, but any question relating to it should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.