asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mr. J. Round, of Doncaster, who was in receipt of 10s. per week, as blind pension, and 21s. domiciliary allowance, was awarded, after determining his needs, an extra 5s. per week by the Minister of Pensions for the loss of his son who died on active service with the Royal Air Force and that, as a consequence, 5s. was deducted from his domiciliary allowance; and whether he will take action to restore this allowance to the original amount?
I have made inquiries and I understand that the facts are as stated in the Question. The amount of assistance to be granted in this case is a matter for the town council of Doncaster, and I have no power to override their decision. I am informed that the reduction was made in accordance with the council's practice of granting so much assistance as is necessary for bringing the blind person's income up to a specified amount.