§ 57. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of unemployed persons in Glasgow who have been assisted with their rent by the public assistance de- 1942 partment from 1st January, 1930, to 1st June, 1931, and the total amount of assistance given?
§ Mr. WESTWOODInformation for the period prior to 15th May, 1930, cannot readily be compiled as until that date there were nine Poor Law authorities in the City of Glasgow. The scale of assistance adopted by Glasgow Corporation for the relief of the destitute able-bodied unemployed is an inclusive scale covering rent as well as sustenance. During the period from 15th May, 1930, to 31st May, 1931, 22,833 able-bodied unemployed persons were assisted. The total amount paid to these persons for the period mentioned by my hon. Friend cannot at present be ascertained, but the cost of relief to this class for the year ended 15th May, 1931, was approximately £330,000.
§ Mr. McGOVERNIn view of that answer showing the number who have received the assessment during the latter period, will the hon. Member call the attention of the Government to the inadequate scale of relief paid to the unemployed whereby they cannot pay the rent of the houses which they occupy?
§ Mr. MORLEYrose——
Viscountess ASTORThe reason why I did not press my supplementary question was that I thought the Minister was going to answer it. May I have an answer?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI should not have allowed the Minister to answer the question anyhow.