HC Deb 09 July 1931 vol 254 cc2242-3
16. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE

asked the Minister of Labour how many transitional beneficiaries have been in receipt of benefit in Newcastle-upon-Tyne during the past three benefit years ending 30th June, 1929, 1930, and 1931?

Miss BONDFIELD

Statistics of claimants for transitional benefit in particular areas are not available for any date prior to June, 1930. At 23rd June, 1930, there were 7,162 persons on the registers of the Newcastle-on-Tyne, Elswick and Heaton Employment Exchanges with claims authorised for transitional benefit. The average number of such persons during the 12 months ended 22nd June, 1931, was 7,146.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

Can the right hon. Lady say whether matters are getting better or whether they are getting worse?

Miss BONDFIELD

I think that there has been a very slight diminution during the last few weeks.