HC Deb 08 December 1936 vol 318 cc1835-6
63. Mr. JOHN

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can supply particulars of the number of single men who are in receipt of allowance from the public assistance committees in the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth; the number who are over 55 years of age; the number who will be reduced from 17s. to 10s. per week under the new regulations; and will he give separate figures for the Unemployment Exchanges in the Rhondda?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Mr. Ernest Brown)

I have no information about the numbers of single men in receipt of relief from the public assistance committees. The number of persons without dependants both living in lodgings and as members of households in Glamorgan and Monmouth, who are applicants to the Unemployment Assistance Board, is about 23,000. Information is not available on the last two parts of the question.

64. Mr. JOHN

asked the Minister of Labour whether an inquiry is being conducted by the public assistance committee to ascertain the needs of boots and clothing of the school children of the unemployed persons under the Rhondda education committee on the lines of the inquiry into the needs of the school children under the Glamorgan county education authority?

Mr. E. BROWN

No, Sir. The inquiry in respect of children under the Glamorgan county education authority is related to the report referred to in my answer of 3rd December to the hon. Member for Neath (Sir W. Jenkins) which has no reference to the areas of other education authorities in the county.

Mr. JOHN

Does that answer mean that the children in the Rhondda district are entitled to boots and clothing on the same lines as in Glamorgan?

Mr. BROWN

The question has not been raised by the education authorities in that area as it has been in Glamorgan.

Mr. JOHN

Is not the decision arrived at in the case of Glamorgan not to be applicable to the Rhondda?

Mr. BROWN

I must not be understood to say that. I must point out again that this case has arisen on a report made to a particular education authority.

Mr. JOHN

If the representatives of the Rhondda education authority make the same application, will it be granted?

Mr. BROWN

I could not be expected to answer a hypothetical question.