HC Deb 02 May 1928 vol 216 cc1699-700
19. Mr. R. MORRISON

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges who are not in receipt of unemployment benefit?

Mr. BETTERTON

At 23rd April, 1928, out of a total of 1,062,300 persons on the Registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain there were approximately 160,800 who had not made claims to unemployment benefit or whose claims had been disallowed. In addition there would be a number, in respect of whom separate statistics are not available, who would not be in receipt of benefit because the statutory waiting period had not expired.

Mr. MORRISON

Can the hon. Gentleman give any information as to how those 100,000 people are existing?

Mr. BETTERTON

That number, of course, includes a large number of people who are not insured, like charwomen, those engaged in agriculture, domestic servants, and other excluded classes, and a portion of them are engaged in temporary occupations.

Mr. RILEY

Can the hon. Gentleman give us separately the figures of those whose claims have been disallowed?

Mr. BETTERTON

I have not got them here, but, if the hon. Member puts down a question, I will supply them.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health expressed pleasure in his last annual report that at least 121 boards of guardians had refused relief to unemployed persons; and will he take steps to find out exactly how these people are getting a living?

Mr. BETTERTON

I am afraid I have not yet had an opportunity of reading the report of the Minister of Health. After I have read it, I shall perhaps be in a position to answer the question.

Mr. W. THORNE

Is the hon. Gentleman giving any encouragement to the men and women who are out of work to register at the Employment Exchanges, so that we can find out the number who are out of work in this country?

Mr. BETTERTON

Oh, yes, Sir, we are.

33. Mr. SHEPHERD

asked the Minister of Labour the average weekly amount paid in unemployment benefit during the last convenient 12 months?

Mr. BETTERTON

The average weekly amounts paid in unemployment benefit during the financial year ended 31st March, 1928, was approximately £690,000.