HC Deb 13 December 1922 vol 159 cc2915-6
20. Mr. THOMSON

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the total number of able-bodied persons in receipt of relief for the months of September and October in the years 1914 and 1922, and the amount of the same?

Sir M. BARLOW

No figures based on the classification "able-bodied" and "not able-bodied" are now available for the periods specified. The statistics available show that the average number of persons (men, women, and children) in receipt of Poor Law relief in their own homes in England and Wales on account of unemployment was in September, 1922, 809,300 and in October, 1922, 838,600, and that the Poor Law relief given to them amounted to £182,000 per week in September and to £198,000 per week in October. No precisely comparable figures are available for the months of September, 1914, and October, 1914; but the number of persons in receipt of out-door relief on account of unemployment was then very small.

Mr. THOMSON

Arising out of these tremendous figures, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his refusal to allow local authorities to proceed with work under the Unemployment Grants Committee?

Sir M. BARLOW

I know of no such refusal.

Mr. MARDY JONES

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that officers of boards of guardians visit the Unemployment Exchanges and claim money due in unemployment benefits to men who have received poor relief? Is that done with his approval?

Sir M. BARLOW

There is an arrangement made whereby a liaison exists between the boards of guardians and the authorities who dispense unemployment benefit, and a very proper liaison, to see that money is not paid twice over.

Mr. MARDY JONES

Is that done with the consent of the unemployed persons, who are entitled to independent poor relief?

Sir M. BARLOW

Where it is a question of covenanted benefit, that is another matter, but a large amount of this benefit is being paid on the uncovenanted side.