§ 31. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many boards of guardians have been instructed by chief and assistant inspectors of his Department that it is the intention of the Minister not to sanction or disapprove of departures from the relief regulation Order in the case of able-bodied single men, and in some cases where able-bodied married men with dependants have been in receipt of outdoor relief for periods which in the opinion of the inspectors are considered excessive; will he inform the House what is the total number of able-bodied men, single or married, in receipt of outdoor relief in the counties of Durham, Northumberland, Glamorgan and Monmouth on 24th November of this year, and the number in receipt of outdoor relief on the same date in 1927, and the same figures for London; and whether the advice or instructions mentioned 822 above have been given with his authority and approval?
§ Sir K. WOODAs the hon. Member is aware, there has been a period in which the restrictions of the Regulations in force were not observed and there are still areas in which any complete enforcement of those restrictions is impracticable. My right hon. Friend has, however, decided that only in exceptional circumstances can a general distribution of unconditional outdoor relief be allowed to continue as a normal means of relieving able-bodied persons. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the figures asked for in the latter part of the question so far as they are available.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIn order that boards of guardians may quite understand what it is that the Minister has decided in this matter, will the Department, instead of indicating verbally to boards of guardians, publish in writing what their decision is in regard to able-bodied men?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. I do not think that there is any necessity for it. I am not aware that any boards of guardians are under any misapprehension in the matter. If the hon. Gentleman will inform me of any case of that kind, I will consider it.
§ Mr. LANSBURYI can inform the right hon. Gentleman of a great number of cases, and I will take the opportunity of doing so.
§ Following is the statement:
§ STATEMENT showing the average number of men ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation in receipt of outdoor relief in the Union Counties of Durham, Northumberland, Glamorgan, and 'Monmouth and in London Burin, the months of September, 1928, and September, 1927.
| — | September, 1928. | September, 1927. |
| Union County of Durham. | 15,494 | 17,977 |
| Union County of Northumberland. | 6,075 | 6,421 |
| Union County of Glamorgan. | 7,214 | 8,244 |
| Union County of Monmouth. | 863 | 1,228 |
| London | 14,015 | 21,825 |