§ Mr. T. Smithasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that where men serving in His Majesty's forces are making allotments out of their Army pay to dependent relatives who are in receipt of public assistance, such allotments are taken into account by public assistance committees, and the amount of relief which would normally be granted is being reduced by the amount of the soldier's allotment; and, as this practice operates harshly against both the soldier and his dependent relative, will he consider making it possible for public assistance committees to exclude either the whole or part of such allotments?
§ Mr. ElliotIt is the duty of public assistance authorities, in assessing relief, to take into account any income received by the applicant by way of an allotment from Army pay, and I have no power to act as the hon. Member suggests.