§ 41. Mr. Dayasked the Minister of Health whether he can state, according to the returns made by his Department, the number of persons in receipt of public assistance, and the greatest number of persons in receipt of public assistance on any one day in England and Wales during the six months ended to the last convenient date?
§ Mr. ElliotReturns of the numbers of persons in England and Wales in receipt of poor relief are rendered to my Department weekly, the figures relating to Saturday in each week. On Saturday, 25th February, 1939, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 1,087,266 persons in England and Wales in receipt of poor relief. The highest number in receipt of relief on any Saturday during the six: months ending on that date was 1,088,263 on 4th February, 1939. These figures include dependants but exclude rate-aided patients in mental hospitals persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only and casuals.
§ Mr. DayDo these figures include persons who were also receiving old-age pensions or widows' pensions?
§ Mr. ElliotThey include all persons.