§ Mr. Bowlesasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider increasing the allowances made to blind persons and, in particular, removing the family means test from these persons?
§ Mr. WillinkThe rates of assistance given to blind persons are a matter for the decision of the Local Authorities concerned subject to certain statutory rules, and I have no power to increase the rates. I am not sure what my hon. Friend has in mind in the latter part of the Question, but I may say that a Local Authority cannot recover the cost of assistance from the family of a blind person.