Mr. Jenkinsasked the Minister of Health what representations have been 3325W made to him in favour of exempting from the provisions of public assistance rules and regulations payments that will be made to aged miners under the pension scheme now being promoted jointly by the South Wales coalowners and the South Wales Miners' Federation; and what reply has he given?
§ Sir K. WoodI have received representations from the Board of Conciliation for the Coal Trade of Monmouthshire and South Wales on this matter. I have informed the Board that, as stated in the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Deritend (Mr. Smedley Crooke) on 22nd April last, there is no statutory authority which would entitle public assistance authorities to disregard pensions awarded under this scheme, and that I could not see my way to promote legislation.