HC Deb 22 April 1937 vol 322 c1891
18. Mr. Gibbins

asked the Minister of Labour the number of able-bodied unemployed in Liverpool not taken over by the Unemployment Assistance Board at the Appointed Day, and the number not accepted by the board since the Appointed Day?

Mr. E. Brown

In the Liverpool district of the board which includes Birkenhead, Bootle and Wallasey, 13,445 persons in receipt of public assistance prior to the Second Appointed Day have been taken over from the public assistance authorities; 3,199 such persons have been held to be outside the scope of the Unemployment Assistance Act, and there are 2,247 cases in which the question of scope is still under consideration. These figures show the position at 16th April, the latest date for which information is available.

Mr. Gibbins

Can the Minister say when these 3,000 will be decided upon?

Mr. Brown

3,199 have been decided upon; 2,247 have not.

Mr. Gibbins

When will they be decided upon?

Mr. Brown

No doubt a good many have been decided upon since that date. The process is going on as rapidly as possible.

Mr. Gibbins

Who has responsibility for maintaining these people in the meantime?

Mr. Brown

If they are not transferred to the Board, it is the public assistance committee.