§ Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Minister of Health whether he will now, in order to avoid confusion and make it more effective, extend his scheme of allowances to tuberculosis sufferers and their dependants so as to include non-pulmonary and chronic cases?
§ Mr. WillinkThe special arrangements to which my hon. Friend refers were authorised to enable persons to give up work temporarily for treatment which is in the interest of the public health no less than their own. The association with the war effort which has been the justification in such cases for making repayment from Exchequer funds under emergency powers is not applicable to the cases to which my hon. Friend refers, but the fact that certain limitations must on this ground apply to such repayment from the Exchequer does not affect the power of Local Authorities to grant assistance within the1146W scope of their statutory powers, and I shall be glad to consider in consultation with representatives of local authorities how the objective of ensuring adequate assistance can most effectively be secured.