HC Deb 17 December 1929 vol 233 cc1169-70
1. Mr. DAY

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the greatest number of destitute able-bodied unemployed in receipt of relief in any one week during 1929; and comparable figures for the same date in the previous years?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Johnston)

As the answer contains a table of figures, I propose to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. DAY

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether these figures include the lunatic poor in Scotland?

Mr. JOHNSTON

The question deals with the able-bodied poor, and it is only able-bodied poor relief that is specified in the answer.

Mr. WESTWOOD

Will my hon. Friend be able to give the figures for one day as well as one week?

Mr. JOHNSTON

No, Sir. We cannot get weekly figures. We have monthly figures, and they will all be given in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer: No weekly figures as to the number of destitute able-bodied unemployed persons in receipt of relief in Scotland are available. From monthly returns received by the Department of Health for Scotland showing the number of destitute able-bodied unemployed persons on a given date, the number on the 15th January was the highest during 1929.

The numbers on the 15th January, 1929, were:—

Males. Females. Total. Dependants.
24,289 2,004 26,293 57,954

The comparable figures for the same date in previous years were:—

— Males. Females. Total. Dependants.
1928 … 32,464 2,381 34,845 70,445
1927 … 36,421 3,118 39,539 79,418
1926 … 30,070 2,967 33,037 81,906
1925 … 19 967 2,758 22,725 57,966
1924 … 33,130 3,512 36,642 91,477
1923 … 40,296 3,640 43,936 104,490
1922 … 26,394 2,273 28,667 71,795