Poor Law (Necessitous Areas)

56.

Sir K. WOOD
asked the Minister of Health whether he has any new proposals for assisting the necessitous areas this winter; and, with regard to the deputation recently received by him from the National Executive Committee on Necessitous Areas, which asked that the cost of relieving the able-bodied unemployed should be made a national charge, will he say what reply he made?

Mr. GREENWOOD
As regards the first part of the question, I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the matter. As regards the second part, I understand that a report of the proceedings is being prepared by the committee, who will no doubt send the right hon. Gentleman a copy at his request.

Sir K. WOOD
Does not the right hon. Gentleman think he had better at once state the answer to the first part of the question, whether he has any new proposals for assisting necessitous areas this winter? Unless he is able to make a statement now, they will not know quite how he proposes to deal with them, and perhaps he will indicate what reply he has to make on the matter?

Mr. GREENWOOD
I have already said that I am not in a position to make a statement.

Sir K. WOOD
Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House exactly what he told the National Executive Committee on Necessitous Areas and whether he is really prepared to do anything for them within a reasonable period?

Mr. GREENWOOD
I have already told the right hon. Gentleman, if he is so anxious to get this information, that, if he will write to that Committee, they will supply him with a copy of my answer.

Sir K. WOOD
Why this secrecy?

Mr. GREENWOOD
There was no secrecy about it, as I am informed that a verbatim note was taken and is to be published.

Sir K. WOOD
Did not the right hon. Gentleman inform this deputation that he was unable to do anything for them, and ask them to come to him at some later date, in the next year?

Mr. GREENWOOD
The right hon. Gentleman does not seem to need a copy of the report.