§ 7. Mr. GRAHAM WHITEasked the Minister of Labour whether he will state as on the last convenient date, the number of persons in receipt of unemployment allowances in each divisional area?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADAs the reply includes a number of figures I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. WHITEWill the hon. Gentleman take into consideration the advisability of publishing these figures, or some comparable figures, each month in the Labour Gazette?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI will consider the suggestion.
§ Following is the reply:
§ Insured persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges at 27th April, 1936, with applications authorized for unemployment allowances.
| Division. | Number. | ||
| London | … | … | 33,627 |
| South Eastern | … | … | 14,545 |
| South Western | … | … | 24,064 |
| Midlands | … | … | 59,705 |
| North Eastern | … | … | 163,981 |
| North Western | … | … | 140,582 |
| Scotland | … | … | 112,892 |
| Wales | … | … | 106,449 |
| Great Britain | … | … | 655,845 |
§ 9. Mr. WHITEasked the Minister of Labour whether it is the practice of the Unemployment Assistance Board to take into account the special needs of invalids and other requiring additional nourishment when assessing household needs, or whether such requirements are held to be medical needs?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI am informed by the board that wherever it is ascertained that persons whom the board is assisting are in need of extra food, such need is taken into account by its officers in deciding the amount of the 531 allowances to be granted. This provision does not cover drugs or surgical appliances, which are definitely medical needs and therefore outside the scope of the board.