Disabled Ex-Service Men.

HC Deb 21 March 1939 vol 345 cc1131-2W

Sir J. Smedley Crooke

asked the Minister of Labour, how many disabled ex-service men are registered as unemployed in each of the following. districts: Liverpool, Hull, Burnley, Stoke-on-Trent, Plymouth, Stockport, South Shields, Swansea, Sunderland, and Southampton; and, approximately, how many of these men in each district would be found work if all local authorities, firms engaged on Government work, and other firms registered under the King's National Roll employed the normal quota under the scheme?

Mr. E. Brown

The following are the numbers of disabled ex-service men registered on 9th January, 1939, as unemployed in the districts mentioned:

Liverpool	…	…	1,071
Hull	…	…	252
Burnley	…	…	203
Stoke-on-Trent	…	…	450
Plymouth	…	…	89
Stockport	…	…	176
South Shields	…	…	203
Swansea	…	…	286
Sunderland	…	…	687
Southampton	…	…	124

As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 20th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Rusholme (Mr. Radford).

Sir J. Smedley Crooke

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the approximate amount paid to unemployed disabled ex-service men under the Unemployment Insurance Act and the Unemployment Assistance Act during any recent period of 12 months; what would be the approximate additional cost of admitting to unemployment insurance benefit all registered unemployed ex-service men who are, by reason of their war disabilities, now unable to follow their normal occupations and are considered fit for light work only; and whether the cost of the existing concession to disabled ex-service men under the Unemployment Insurance Act is borne wholly by the State, or is part of the cost met from the contributions of the general insured population?

Mr. E. Brown

Unemployment benefit paid to disabled ex-service men who satisfy the modified condition as to payment of contributions under Section 22 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1935, is charged to the Unemployment Fund under Section 58 of the Act and is met out of the joint income of the fund. I regret that the available information does not enable me to answer the remainder of the question.