§ 19. Mr. BATEYasked the Minister of Health the number of cases receiving Poor Law relief in Durham county that are classified as unemployed; and the amount of relief paid to these cases during the last six months for which the figures are available?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe average number of persons classified by the guardians as unemployed and their dependants who were in receipt of Poor Law relief in the union county of Durham in December, 1928, was 45,188, and the amount of relief in money and kind paid to such persons during the six months ending on 29th Dec5mber, 1928, was £309,815.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are large numbers who are neither getting unemployment benefit nor relief in the Chester-le-Street area, which facts have been revealed during the visit of the Prince of Wales during the past few days?
§ Mr. LANSBURYHave the inspectors of the Department, or has the right hon. Gentleman himself, issued instructions that these men shall not have any relief? Is not the consequence to be seen in the pitiable stories which have been published in the newspapers this morning? Is not the right hon. Gentleman and his Department responsible for that?