OUT-DOOR RELIEF.

HC Deb 05 March 1924 vol 170 cc1407-9W

Sir G. DOYLE

asked the Minister of Health if he will state, as a guide to

information as to the rents charged in respect of any houses erected by local authorities under the 1923 Housing Act as the rents of these houses are determined by the individual authorities and do not require my approval.

boards of guardians, what is the scale of monetary out-relief authorised by his office for, say, a man and wife and two children, and if such scale can be over the amount the man could earn when at regular work; whether, in addition, food and coal may be provided; if there is any time limit for such grants; and whether a man's refusal to accept work will be taken into consideration?

Mr. WHEATLEY

Subject to the review of the district auditor, it is within the discretion of individual boards of guardians when granting out-door relief to determine the amount of relief that is necessary to remove destitution in any particular case, and I do not think it is desirable to give any directions which would interfere with this discretion. As regards the last part of the question, it is the duty of the guardians to consider all the circumstances of each case, including any refusal to accept work.

Mr. GILLETT

asked the Minister of Health whether the scale of relief given by the Holborn Board of Guardians corresponds to the Mond scale?

Mr. WHEATLEY

I understand that this board of guardians has no fixed scale, but deals with each case according to its particular needs. I may at the same time point out that the Mond scale was merely for the purpose of controlling the charges to be borne by the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund.