public places. A scheme for beautifying St. James’ Park was carried out with a large measure of success, while additional areas of park land was allocated for games in Bushey Park, Richmond Park, and Regent's Park. Lawn-tennis courts were opened in Bushey Park, while two more playgrounds were provided for children in Regent's Park and one in Greenwich Park. F.O. Roberts, the Minister of Pensions, stopped the making of "final awards," by instructing boards that awards should be "given for a year and until further instructions," which meant that every man under such awards had the right of appeal for an increase of pension if he got worse. In addition, pensions could now be transferred to a surviving parent of a dependent who had a pension, while Need Pensions were raised, with the minimum rate increased from 4s.2d. to 5s. a week and the basis for these need pensions increased to 25 shillings (£1.25) a week for one individual and 35 shillings (£1.75) a week for a married couple. The result of this was that every parent or dependent in receipt of a need pension, received an immediate increase of between 2s.6d (12.5p) to 5s (25p) a week. During its first 6 months in office, the First Labour Government issued a circular that removed restrictions on grants for health services, an action which led to the extension of welfare schemes for childhood and maternity. About 70 new infant welfare centres had been opened, more health visitors had been appointed, many more beds had been provided in homes for mothers and babies, and the milk supply was extended in 16 cases. As a result of the new circular, for TB, about 1,500 new beds had been arranged by the local authorities. In May 1924, a grant of £1 million was made from a Road Fund to assist the rural areas in England and Wales to improve their roads. The Scottish Office introduced various measures to improve socio-economic conditions in Scotland. To alleviate unemployment and distress caused in the Outer Hebrides due to a depression in the fishing industry and the failure of crops, the Board inaugurated relief work schemes which had for their object the resurfacing of the roads in the regions affected. Financial assistance was allocated towards the execution of Land Drainage schemes to reduce unemployment in several areas while loans were granted to crofters to enable them to purchase