§ 66. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Health whether he can state the approximate financial relief that West Ham, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Middlesbrough, and other heavily rated Poor Law areas in South Wales will receive under the new Unemployment Insurance Bill?
§ Mr. SHAWI have been asked to reply. The increase of benefits proposed by the Unemployment Insurance Bill is estimated to amount to roughly £10,000,000 per annum with a live regis- 400 ter of 1,000,000. It is not possible to say how much of this sum will be reflected directly in reduction of the poor rate, but obviously it must represent directly or indirectly a substantial measure of assistance in towns with heavy unemployment.
§ Mr. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, so far as West Ham is concerned, the Clerk of the board of guardians anticipates that West Ham is to get about £68,000 from the Bill, and that this assistance is not adequate to meet the situation?
§ Mr. SHAWI am not aware of the facts, and in any event the case of West Ham and its council is a matter for the Ministry of Health.
§ Mr. AYLESMay I ask whether there has been any direct or indirect encouragement from his Department or any other Department to boards of guardians to reduce the relief which they are giving to unemployed workmen, in order to save, the rates at the expense of the Unemployment Insurance Fund?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a separate question.