HC Deb 05 February 1934 vol 285 c799
51. Mr. TINKER

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief from the Lancashire County Council for the years 1930, 1931, 1932, and 1933?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)

The average number of persons (men, women and children) in receipt of poor relief from the Lancaster County Council (excluding rate-aided patients in mental hospitals and persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only) was 23,409 in the last nine months of 1930, 24,875 in 1931, 31,001 in 1932, and 37,312 in 1933. These figures are based on the numbers on the last Saturday in each month.

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

Can the Parliamentary Secretary give us any explanation for these extraordinary increases?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

I could give several, but the obvious one is the trade depression.

Mr. DAVIES

Have these increases anything to do with unemployed persons being put off the register?

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Is it not the case that anyone who is disallowed benefit remains on the unemployment register although he may receive Poor Law relief?