HC Deb 07 May 1924 vol 173 cc403-4
20. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSON

asked the Minister of Labour if any information or figures are available which will indicate the approximate proportion of those drawing unemployment benefit who are compelled, on account of the inadequacy of the amount, to supplement the same by application to the Poor Law guardians for out-relief?

Mr. SHAW

Periodic statistics are not kept of the number of claimants to benefit who are also in receipt of poor relief. A special analysis of a selection of 10,000 claims to benefit taken in November last showed that at that date about 10 per cent. of the male claimants, and about 1 per cent. of the female claimants whose claims to unemployment benefit were analysed were also in receipt of poor relief.

Mr. MASTERMAN

Has not the right hon. Gentleman issued through his Department a statement that 500,000 of those receiving unemployment benefit are also receiving Poor Law relief?

Mr. SHAW

Yes, based on the statement, I think, that if the proportions remained the same, that would be the number.

Lord EUSTACE PERCY

If the proportions were the same, would not that give us an unemployed figure of 5,000,000?