§ 62. Mr. CRAVEN-ELLISasked the Minister of Health the total number of able-bodied persons in receipt of poor relief (public assistance) in Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the years ended 31st December, 1929, 1931 and 1933?
Sir H. YOUNGThe returns made to my Department do not distinguish able-bodied persons in receipt of poor relief. The figures available are for the numbers of persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation and include their dependants. The average numbers of these, including dependants who were in receipt of out-relief in money and kind in England and Wales during the years ended on the 31st December, 1929, 1931 and 1933 were 368,877, 314,843 and 558,932 respectively, These figures include cases in which the primary cause of relief was sickness, and not unemployment. As regards Northern Ireland, I have no information and as regards Scotland I would refer my hon. Friend to the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. CRAVEN-ELLISWhat percentage of this increase is due to the Anomalies Act?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House why there has been so much more sickness since the National Government came into office?