HC Deb 22 July 1941 vol 373 cc810-1W
Mr. Mathers

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons on outdoor and indoor relief, respectively, at September, 1939, and September, 1940; and the cost for September, 1939 to 1940, and October, 1940, to the latest available date?

Mr. Johnston

At 15th September, 1939, the number of persons, including dependants, in receipt of outdoor relief in Scotland was 205,605, and indoor 8,614. The corresponding figures for 15th September, 1940, were 119,280 and 9,086, respectively. Figures are not available of the cost of poor relief for the period September, 1939, to September, 1940, or for any later period. The cost for the year ended 15th May, 1940 (the latest available date) was approximately £ 5,340,000 (£ 4,427,000 outdoor relief, and £ 913,000 indoor relief).

Mr. Frankel

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons on outdoor and indoor relief, respectively, at September, 1940, and the latest subsequent available date; and the cost for September, 1939–40, and October, 1940, to the latest available date?

Mr. E. Brown:

The numbers of persons on outdoor and indoor relief in England and Wales on the last Saturday in September, 1940, were 450,322 and 134,206, respectively. The corresponding figures on the last Saturday in April, 1941, which is the latest date for which figures are available, were 420,201 and 134,175. The cost of outdoor relief during the period 1st October, 1939, to 30th September, 1940, was £17,349,542, and from 1st October, 1940, to 30th April, 1941, £6,650,422. Figures as to cost of indoor relief are not available for those periods.