HC Deb 28 February 1946 vol 419 c415W
Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health whether he has reconsidered the question of sanctioning the payment of small amounts of pocket money by P.A.C.s to the inmates of public assistance institutions; and if he has any statement to make.

Mr. Bevan

A public assistance authority has power without any sanction from me to pay a small amount of pocket money to an inmate of a public assistance institution who is 65 or over, and I have no authority to sanction the payment of pocket money to an inmate who is under 65. I will bear the point in mind in considering possible legislation for bringing the present system of public assistance to an end.