HC Deb 12 April 1934 vol 288 cc460-1
6. Mr. GORDON MACDONALD

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the total number of persons on the means test in Lancashire at the latest date on which figures are available; the number in receipt of full payments; the number in receipt of part payments; and the number disallowed payment?

Sir H. BETTERTON

At 19th March, 1934, there were 164,338 applicants for transitional payments on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Lancashire. The available statistics do not enable me to analyse this total according to the rate of payment, but I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table giving such an analysis in respect of the cases dealt with by the public assistance committees in the three months ended 3rd March, 1934.

7. Mr. MACDONALD

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the total amount saved by the administration of the means test in Lancashire up to the latest date for which figures are available?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I very much doubt whether it is possible to make such an estimate for any county separately but I am looking into the matter and will communicate with the hon. Member.

10. Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state, separately, the number of young persons, women, and men who were continuously unemployed for the 12 months ended 31st March last and for the previous 12 months?

Sir H. BETTERTON

As the reply includes a number of figures I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMS

Does the statement indicate any serious continuance of long unemployment among juveniles?

Sir H. BETTERTON

No, Sir.

Following is the statement:

The numbers of persons applying for insurance benefit and transitional payments at 19th March, 1934, and 20th March, 1933, respectively, who had been on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain for a year or more were as follow:

— 19th March, 1934. 20th March, 1933.
Men aged 18–64 416,115 454,036
Boys aged 16 and 17 8 41
Women aged 18–64 18,691 23,810
Girls aged 16 and 17 2 10
434,816 477,897

These totals include eases where the persons concerned had one or more short spells of employment, lasting not more than three days each.