HC Deb 03 March 1932 vol 262 cc1287-8W
Mr. DONNER

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of cases beard by the public assistance authorities, and the number which have received full pay-

October, 1931 to February, 1932, is as follows:

ment, partial payment and no payment at all in Islington and West Islington, separately?

Sir H. BETTERTON

These figures are available only for the areas covered by public assistance authorities. I regret, therefore, that separate statistics for Islington and West Islington are not available.

Mr. STONES

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction is prevalent in Lancashire with the existing regulations governing the application of the means test; that brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law with whom unemployed persons are residing are being penalised under such regulations; and will he consider taking such steps, either of a legislative or other character, as will in future relieve these relatives of the responsibility the means test regulations enforce of housing, feeding, and clothing their unemployed brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to-day to oral questions of a similar nature.