HC Deb 29 July 1938 vol 338 c3477
10. Mr. G. Macdonald

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of public assistance in July, 1931, and at the latest date on which figures are available, giving separate figures for Lancashire?

The Minister of Health (Mr. Elliot)

On Saturday, 11th July, 1931, the number for England and Wales, excluding rate-aided patients in mental hospitals, persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only and casuals, was 968,107. The corresponding number on Saturday, 9th July, 1938, the latest date for which figures are available, was 1,028,926. The figures for the Administrative County of Lancaster, together with the 17 associated county boroughs, were 139,100 and 167,496 respectively.

Mr. R. Gibson

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of those people were in receipt of old age pensions?

Mr. Elliot

Not without notice.