HC Deb 19 May 1936 vol 312 cc1008-9
70. Mr. LIDDALL

asked the Minister of Health how many persons in receipt of public assistance were, at the latest available date, also included on the live register of unemployed?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

The average number of persons in receipt of out-relief in England and Wales registered at Employment Exchanges during March, 1936, was 114,424.

71. Mr. BATEY

asked the Minister of Health the number of able-bodied persons in receipt of. Poor Law relief in the county of Durham during January, 1931, and the latest available date this year?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

The returns made to my Department do not distinguish the number of able-bodied persons in receipt of poor relief. The returns, however, show that in the administrative county of Durham the average number of persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation, including dependants, in receipt of out-relief was 21,765 in January, 1931, and 31,718 in April, 1936. Special returns obtained in 1934 showed that more than one-half of the expenditure on relief to persons in this category in the county was due to sickness, accident or bodily infirmity.