asked the Minister of Health if he will increase the 50 per cent. grant of administrative costs to enable local authorities to meet the additional expenditure incurred by them in the distribution and storage of welfare foods, through the closing of local food offices.

No. Local health authorities are giving effect to these arrangements by virtue of their powers under Section 22 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, and are receiving the usual rate of grant payable in respect of services provided under that Act.