HC Deb 19 July 1927 vol 209 cc223-4
10. Mr. E. BROWN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of unemployed persons in Scotland during the first six months of 1927 who have been disallowed benefit under the National Insurance Act, and are now in receipt of relief from the parish councils; and whether he will give the amount of extra expenditure falling upon the parish councils?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I would refer the hon. Member to the last sentence of my reply to his question on the 10th May last, in which I indicated that I have no information as to how many persons in Scotland who have been disallowed unemployment benefit have subsequently been found to be entitled to parish relief.

Mr. BROWN

May I ask if there are any means of getting statistics relating to the whole area as the answer of the right hon. Gentleman only gives statistics for certain principal towns. Ought not figures to be available for the whole area so that parish councils may get some idea of the burden to be borne by them?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I think it would be costly to undertake. I really do not think the advantage would be commensurate with the cost.

Mr. BROWN

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the transfer of unemployed from the Insurance Fund to the Poor Law is becoming a very big issue in Scotland, and would it not be well for him to take steps to get this information?