§ Sir R. ASKEasked the Minister of Labour the rate of State unemployment benefit or payments now being paid in Germany, France, Russia, Italy, and the United States of America; the rate of contributions payable by the insured per- 1935W sons; and, if possible, the number of persons receiving benefit in each country?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONAs regards the first and second parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 26th May, 1932, to a similar question by the hon. Member for Walsall (Mr. Leckie). With regard to the last part of the question, the latest information in my possession is as follows: In Germany at the end of March, 1932, there were 1,578,788 persons in receipt of ordinary unemployment insurance benefit, 1,744,321 persons in receipt of emergency benefit, and 1,944,417 able-bodied unemployed persons in receipt of poor law relief. In Italy, during October, 1931, 173,257 persons received unemployment insurance benefit. In France, during the week ending 28th May, 1932, there were 262,184 unemployed persons in receipt of relief from the public unemployment funds, 23,392 unemployed persons in receipt of poor law relief, and 14,665 persons in receipt of relief in respect of partial unemployment; in addition, under
Applications for Transitional Payments. 12th November, 1931 — 7th May, 1932. — Great Britain. Lancashire (Administrative Country). Number of applications referred to Public Assistance Authorities: Initial Applications 1,789,385 113,407 Renewals and Revisions 4,091,344 211,538 Total 5,880,729 324,945 Determinations by Public Assistance Authorities (including Renewals and Revisions): Payment allowed at maximum benefit rates 3,258,990 60,524 Payment allowed at lower rates 2,107,969 200,268 Needs of applicants held not to justify payment being made. 513,770 64,153