§ 37. Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Health how many persons were receiving Poor Law relief in Great Britain on 30th April, 1931, and on 30th April, 1932?
Sir H. YOUNGThe numbers of persons (men, women and children) in receipt of poor relief in England and Wales (excluding rate-aided patients in mental hospitals, persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only and casuals) on Saturday, 25th April, 1931, and on Saturday, 30th April, 1932, were 1,003,720 and 1,195,038 respectively. With regard to Scotland, I would refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures have gone up by over 100,000 in the last six months, and that the greater part of this burden was thrown upon distressed areas? Have the Government any policy for relieving the depressed areas?
Sir H. YOUNGI do not think I could accept the inferences of the hon. Member's question. As regards the facts in it, I should like notice.
§ 38. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of public assistance within the county borough of West Ham at the period ended September, 1931; the number of persons in receipt of such assistance to date; and the number per 10,000 of the population on the respective dates?
Sir H. YOUNGThe number of persons in receipt of poor relief in the county borough of West Ham (excluding rate-aided patients in mental hospitals, persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only and casuals) on Saturday, 26th September, 1931, was 13,211, and on Saturday, 7th May, 1932, 17,063. These numbers are equivalent to 445 and 575 respectively per 10,000 of the population.