HC Deb 17 July 1934 vol 292 cc931-2
25. Mr. BATEY

asked the Minister of Health the number of unemployed persons and their dependants in receipt of domiciliary relief in the county of Durham administrative area during June, 1929, June, 1930, and June, 1934, on the latest available date?

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

The average number of persons, including dependants, ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation, who were in receipt of domiciliary relief in the administrative county of Durham was 20,600 in June, 1930, and 31,599 in June, 1934. The returns do not show separately the total number of unemployed persons included in these figures. Corresponding figures for June, 1929, for the administrative county are not available.

26. Mr. BATEY

asked the Minister of Health the number of unemployed persons and their dependants in receipt of domiciliary Poor Law relief at the latest available date?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

The average number of persons, including dependants, ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation, who were in receipt of domiciliary relief in England and Wales in May, 1934, was 584,476. The returns do not show separately the total number of unemployed persons included in this figure.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Is it not the case that the returns show that about one-third are in fact unemployed persons?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

About 123,000 are registered at the Employment Exchange and about 266,000 are dependants.

Mr. BATEY

Can the hon. Member give the figures for 30th June?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

I am afraid not.