HC Deb 15 November 1927 vol 210 cc815-6
32. Mr. MACLEAN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of men and women in receipt of out-door relief at the end of September, 1927, in the parishes of Govan and Glasgow, respectively, who had been refused unemployment benefit?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I regret that the information asked for could not be completely obtained without an elaborate inquiry. As, however, the scale of parish relief for able-bodied unemployed persons in the two parishes named is the same as that on which unemployment benefit is paid, it may be inferred that all such persons in receipt of relief have either been refused or are not entitled to unemployment benefit. At the 15th September, 1927, there were in the parish of Govan, 6,266 men and 603 women, and in the parish of Glasgow, 9,958 men and 779 women in receipt of relief as able-bodied unemployed persons.

38. Mr. BUCHANAN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amount spent weekly by the Govan parish council at present on able-bodied relief, and the amount spent in the same week in 1926, 1925 and 1924, respectively?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The amount spent on able-bodied relief by the Govan parish council during the week ended the 15th October, 1927, was £5,977. The figures for the corresponding weeks in 1926, 1925 and 1924 were £5,978 (including £99 expended on relief to destitute dependants of miners), £3,171 and £1,822, respectively.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Can the right hon. Gentleman state any reason for the increase, in view of the fact that the Govan parish council are being compelled to cut down the payments? In spite of this, the amount is increasing each year. Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason for it?

Sir J. GILMOUR

No, Sir, not in answer to a Question.

35. Mr. SULLIVAN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what payments were made to able-bodied men and women by the parish councils of Scotland for the years 1924, 1925 and 1926?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The total payments made by parish councils in Scotland to destitute able-bodied unemployed during each of the years ended the 15th May in 1924, 1925 and 1926, were £1,153,268, £652,581, and £981,498 respectively. In addition, £12,927 was paid to the destitute dependants of coal miners and shale workers during the year ended the 15th May, 1926.