§ Mr. Messerasked the Minister of Health whether it is with his approval that a number of local authorities, charged with the administration of the Blind Persons Act, use relieving officers, for investigating the circumstances of applicants for blind domiciliary assistance and the payment of grants; and whether in view of the provisions of the Blind Persons Act that assistance to the blind shall not be by way of poor relief, he will cause this practice to be discontinued?
§ Mr. E. BrownNo, Sir. The arrangements for investigating the circumstances of the blind and for the payment of financial assistance to them do not re-quire my approval. I have no power to give directions in the matter to the local authorities concerned, but the use of relieving officers for these purposes does not imply that the assistance given is given as poor relief.