asked the Minister of National Insurance if she is aware that many charitable organisations are forced to refrain from rendering financial assistance to needy cases, owing to the fact that if they do so the National Assistance is automatically reduced; and whether she will make a general statement on the position.

It would not be consistent with the principles on which assistance is granted to ignore charitable payments entirely in assessing need. Charitable payments are not one of the "statutory disregards" but the Board are usually prepared, as a matter of discretion, to disregard up to 10s. 6d. a week of any money an applicant for assistance may be getting from a charity.