§ 8. Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation in the present Session to extend, in certain cases, a local authority's power to give assistance in cash in an emergency to individuals in welfare need.
§ Mr. DeanThe extension of a local authority's powers to provide assistance in cash presents certain difficulties, and I can offer no prospect of legislation in the present Session. Responsibility for providing emergency assistance is accepted by the Supplementary Benefits Commission, which has arranged a service to meet emergencies arising outside the normal working hours.