HC Deb 09 June 1961 vol 641 cc126-7W
Mr. Spriggs

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance in how many cases special grants have been made by the National Assistance Board other than those given for footwear, clothing, and general domestic needs.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

The grants referred to are, it is assumed, those described in the National Assistance (Determination of Need) Regulations, 1948, as grants by way of a single payment to meet an exceptional need. Grants made under this provision include those in respect of charges under the National Health Service, which in 1960 totalled £2,160,000. Apart from these, 197,000 grants totalling £716,000 were made during the year. The statistical records do not give details of the very varied purposes for which they were made, but a special inquiry some years ago indicated that at that time about one-eighth of them were for purposes other than those specified in the Question.