§ 34. Mr. JAMES GRIFFITHSasked the Minister of Health the number of totally disabled workmen in each of the counties of Carmarthen, Brecon, Glamorgan, and Monmouth whose compensation under the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Acts is so inadequate as to require supplementary allowance from the public assistance committee; and the amount of moneys thus disbursed by the public assistance committee in each county, respectively?
§ Sir K. WOODI regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called by any public assistance committee to the growth in the number of these cases and the burden thus imposed on the locality?
§ Sir K. WOODI should not like to answer that question without notice. I will make inquiries and inform the hon. Member.
§ 35. Mr. GRIFFITHSasked the Minister of Health the number of persons who are in receipt of old age pensions under the various Acts and whose pensions have to be supplemented by the public assistance committee in the counties of Carmarthen, Brecon, Glamorgan, and Monmouth; and the amount of the moneys thus disbursed by the public assistance committee in each county, respectively?
§ Sir K. WOODOn 1st January, 1936, the number of persons in receipt of old age pensions under the various Acts who 233 were also in receipt of out-relief was 779 in the county of Carmarthen, 399 in Brecon, 9,236 in Glamorgan and 3,804 in Monmouth. The returns made to my Department do not show separately the amount of out-relief paid to these persons.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSIn view of the burden of the rates in these areas, about which we hear so much, will not the Minister consider lifting the burden from the authorities by increasing the old age pensions so that people can live on them?
§ Sir K. WOODThat is a very difficult proposition.