HC Deb 10 June 1937 vol 324 cc1933-4
21. Mr. Lawson

asked the Minister of Labour the number of those on the register on 24th May who had been out of work one year and over?

Mr. Butler

At 24th May, 1937, there were approximately 314,000 claimants for benefit and applicants for unemployment allowances on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain who had been continuously on the registers for 12 months or more; this total includes about 36,000 persons who would not have been so included under the arrangement existing prior to the Second Appointed Day for unemployment assistance on 1st April. Corresponding figures are not available for persons on the registers who were not applying for benefit or allowances. A proportion of these persons will have had one or more short spells of employment, lasting not more than three days each, during the period of continuous registration.

Mr. Davidson

Is the Minister aware that a considerable number of those unemployed who were previously registering are now drawing Poor Law relief?

Mr. Butler

I am aware that there has been a steady decline in those unemployed for a period of more than a year if you exclude those who have been transferred after the Second Appointed Day.

Mr. Davidson

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a steady increase in Poor Law relief in the country?

Mr. Lawson

Is the Department satisfied that these 314,000 are people willing and able to work, in view of the charges that have been made against this class?

Mr. Butler

I am sure that the Government are always ready to try to find employment for everyone of these persons.