HC Deb 13 February 1939 vol 343 cc1381-2W
Mr. Tinker

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the intention of the Government to grant extra payment to those in receipt of old age pensions so that they will be enabled to get an extra week's provisions to meet the emergency that may arise if war breaks out?

From local authorities. From local voluntary organisations. Total applications. Total estimated expenditure. Grant.
£ £
Applications considered by the Grants Committee. 474 751 1,225 6,897,920
358 599 957 5,502,612
Cases in which grants have been made or offered. 253 668 2,478,218 838,256
415 1,245,385 480,931
Cases accepted in principle for grant-aid but deferred pending re-examination and the submission of further particulars. 25 18 43 912,423
Applications rejected 80 246 600,970
166 265,616

In addition to the grants for capital projects under Section 3 (1) (a) of the Act, grants to an amount of rather less than 160,000 had on 31st January last been offered under Sections 3 (1) (b) and 3 (1) (c) of the Act, towards the training

Captain Wallace

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has already explained that it is the Government's policy to ensure that adequate supplies of food will be available in time of war for all classes of the population. While, therefore, there is no objection to householders, if they so desire, accumulating small reserves of suitable foodstuffs, there is no obligation on them to do so; and reserves so accumulated might be requisitioned in an emergency. There are other practical objections to the hon. Member's proposal, and the Government see no need to take the steps he suggests.

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