HC Deb 14 June 1927 vol 207 cc831-2
24. Mr. LUNN

asked the Minister of Health the number of able-bodied men and women in receipt of Poor Law relief in the months of January, February, March, and April, 1926 and 1927?

The MINISTER of HEALTH (Mr. Chamberlain)

With the permission of the hon. Member, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the information that is available.

Mr. LUNN

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether the total figures for 1927 are higher than those for 1926?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

They are higher at the beginning of the period and lower at the end of the period.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Will the statement say what proportion of these able-bodied persons are signing the registers at the Employment Exchanges?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

That is not part of the question.

Mr. TAYLOR

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these figures will give any indication of the proportion of ex-service men who are recipients of Poor Law relief?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

No

Following is the statement:

Figures based on a classification distinguishing "able-bodied" persons are not now obtained. The average numbers of males over 16 years of age ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation, and the average number of females over 16 years of age who were ordinarily so engaged or were the dependent wives of men ordinarily so engaged who were in receipt of domiciliary Poor Law relief in England and Wales during the months of January, February, March and April, 1926 and 1927, were as follow:

Average numbers.
Males. Females.
1926.
January … 150,448 135,953
February … 149,648 133,914
March … 145,691 129,786
April … 142,048 125,775
1927.
January … 177,054 153,800
February … 159,451 137,201
March … 150,644 129,255
April … 141,311 121,874