§ 8. Mr. CLOUGHasked the Minister of Labour the numbers in receipt of unemployment pay on 18th October; how many have received it since the Armistice; what is the amount which has been paid in this form of donation; and what is his policy in respect to unemployment pay for the future?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe figures for the 18th October are not yet available. For the week ended the 26th September, i.e., immediately before the railway strike, the number of persons receiving out-of-work donation was 364,190, of whom 274,477 were ex-Service men. The number of individuals who have received out-of-work donation since the Armistice is not available. The total amount paid in out-of-work donation to the 26th September, 1919, 14 was £36,978,027. The Out-of-work Donation Scheme expires on 24th November next for civilian workers, ex-members of His Majesty's Forces retain their right to donation during the year following their personal demobilisation. The policy in respect to the future is not yet decided.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLHave the Government yet decided as to any extension of this principle after the 24th of November, and will the House be consulted on the matter
§ Sir R. HORNEIn the last part of my answer it was stated that the policy of the Government had not yet been decided.
§ Mr. TERRELLWill the House be consulted?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have already stated that some time ago.
§ Mr. TERRELLThat the House will be consulted?
§ Sir R. HORNEYes.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of substituting a system for providing work rather than one for providing unemployment benefits?
§ Sir R. HORNEAll the possibilities are being considered.
§ 10. Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONasked the Minister of Labour whether he would give figures showing the present number of the unemployed and the weekly amount of the unemployment subsidy with the corresponding figures for 31st July last?
§ Sir R. HORNEIn the week ended the 26th September (the latest date for which figures are available) the number of persons claiming out-of-work donation, in-including those whose claims were not yet ripe for payment, was 403,003, while 26,319 were receiving unemployment insurance benefit—a total of 429,322. The corresponding figures for the week ended the 1st August were 553,482 and 30,936—a total of 584,418. The amount paid in donation during the week ended the 26th September was £494,000, as against £657,000 in the week ended 1st August.
Lieut.-Colonel W. THORNECan the right hon. Gentleman state the number of people receiving unemployment benefit for which they have paid?
§ Sir R. HORNEMy hon. Friend, I presume, refers to those who are under the Insurance Act scheme. The figures I have given, I think, cover what he refers to. There were 26,319 receiving unemployment insurance benefit.
§ Sir R. HORNEI dealt with a similar question only a minute ago.