§ 13. Mr. Westwoodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the numbers of old age pensioners who were in receipt of public assistance in Scotland as at 15th January, 1939; and the approximate annual cost of the relief so granted?
Mr. WedderburnThe number of old age pensioners in Scotland who were in receipt of public assistance at 15th November, 1938, the latest date for which the information is available, was 43,182. The cost of the relief granted is not available, nor is an estimate possible from the information available in my Department.
§ Mr. WestwoodIs the hon. Gentleman aware that that public assistance becomes a very heavy burden upon the public assistance authorities, and will he make representations to the right authority with a view to providing adequate pensions for the old age pensioners?
Mr. WedderburnThat is another question, but I am afraid I could not undertake to get the figures, which I am advised would entail too much clerical work.
§ Mr. LawsonWill the hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Minister of Health in order to get the same information for us in England as he has now given for Scotland?
§ Mr. Henderson StewartWhat proportion does that number of old age pensioners bear to the total number in Scotland?
19. Mr. Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons receiving public assistance relief in Glasgow and Edinburgh, including Leith, for the years ended December, 1937 and 1938, respectively?
Mr. WedderburnThe number of persons, including dependants, in receipt of public assistance in Edinburgh, including Leith, at 15th December, 1937, was 14,334, and at 15th December, 1938, 14,317. The corresponding figures for Glasgow are 101,508 and 96,676.
Mr. DavidsonAre any steps being taken by the Scottish Office to draw the attention of the Prime Minister to the serious state of Scottish affairs with regard to public assistance relief?
Mr. DavidsonHave any steps been taken by the Scottish Office to draw the Prime Minister's attention to this state of affairs?
§ 14. Mr. Kennedyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of old age pensioners in the counties of Stirling and Clackmannan, respectively, who have been compelled to seek public assistance during the year 1938?
Mr. WedderburnStatistics in the precise form which the hon. Member asks are not available, but the numbers of old 1530 age pensioners in receipt of public assistance in the counties of Stirling and Clackmannan at 15th November, 1938, the latest date for which figures are available were 837 and 247 respectively.
§ Mr. WestwoodDo these figures include the large burghs of Stirling and Falkirk?
Mr. WedderburnI was only asked the figures for 1938. I cannot say whether they show an increase on the previous year.